Wandayi Dismisses Resignation Calls Over Substandard Fuel Saga
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has firmly rejected mounting calls for his resignation over the alleged KSh4.8 billion substandard fuel scandal, maintaining that there is no legal or procedural basis for him to step aside as investigations continue.
Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy on Monday, April 13, Wandayi faced intense questioning from lawmakers but remained resolute in his defence, insisting that he had no direct involvement in the procurement and importation of the disputed fuel consignment.
“When all is said and done, in the final analysis, clearly, there is no reason stopping me from discharging my duties as Cabinet Secretary,” Wandayi told the committee.
The CS provided a detailed account of how the substandard fuel is believed to have entered the country, pointing to a deviation from the established government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel importation framework. According to him, the shipment was processed and recommended for approval by technical officers without following the required escalation procedures.
“In short, this deviation would have required higher approval. The approval was not sought, and if it had been sought, I would have acted on it and escalated the matter to the President,” he explained.
Wandayi emphasised that senior officials, including the Principal Secretary and a technical committee, were involved in the processing of the consignment before it was cleared, distancing himself from operational decisions made at lower levels of the ministry.
During the session, lawmakers also pressed the CS over the abrupt resignation of three senior energy officials, raising questions about whether the exits were voluntary or influenced by internal pressure. However, Wandayi denied any knowledge of coercion, stating that the individuals may have made independent decisions to leave office.
“I am not aware of any coercion. They must have had their own reasons for resigning,” he said, even as the committee demanded documentation, including copies of resignation letters, to verify the circumstances surrounding their departure.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Wandayi assured Kenyans that the government had taken steps to stabilise the fuel supply chain and prevent shortages, even as concerns persist over quality and pricing.
“We have done much to ensure fuel is enough. We got intelligence that some players are hoarding fuel in anticipation of a price increase. We are warning these players,” he stated.
While declining to pre-empt the regulator’s announcement, Wandayi reassured the public that the cost implications of the disputed fuel consignment would not be passed on to consumers.
He urged Kenyans to remain patient, noting that the forthcoming review would outline measures aimed at cushioning households and businesses from potential price shocks.
The CS also reiterated the ministry’s commitment to transparency and accountability, expressing confidence that ongoing investigations would ultimately establish the facts and clear any individuals wrongly implicated.
The fuel saga has sparked widespread public concern, with critics questioning regulatory oversight and procurement processes within the energy sector. At the same time, pressure has been mounting on key officials to take responsibility, even as investigations continue to unfold.
As parliamentary probes intensify and public scrutiny grows, the outcome of the investigations is expected to have far-reaching implications for Kenya’s energy sector, governance standards, and public trust in state institutions.
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Wandayi Dismisses Resignation Calls Over Substandard Fuel Saga
