Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi Refuses to Resign Over Sh4.8 Billion Fuel Scandal
Quote from Lawyer on April 13, 2026, 1:48 pmEnergy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has rejected calls to resign over the Sh4.8 billion substandard fuel importation controversy, stating there are no legal or procedural grounds for him to step aside while investigations proceed. Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy on Monday, Wandayi insisted he remains fully capable of performing his duties.
He explained that the disputed shipment entered the country outside the government-to-government arrangement and through administrative processes that did not require his direct approval. A technical committee recommended the procurement, and the Principal Secretary approved it. When the issue surfaced on March 30, Wandayi briefed the president, who directed him to halt a second vessel. Any deviation from the government-to-government framework would have needed higher authorization, which was not sought.
Wandayi noted that certain quality parameters for the consignment fell outside specifications and that a waiver had been requested from the Kenya Bureau of Standards by the State Department for Petroleum. He maintained that Kenya has adequate fuel supplies and attributed any shortages to market players hoarding in anticipation of price increases. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has issued 25 show-cause letters to suspected hoarders and 12 notices to oil marketers.
The secretary distanced himself from the reported resignations of three senior energy officials, saying he was unaware of their reasons and that investigations continue without evidence of coercion. Members of Parliament demanded documentation of those resignations, noting the letters passed through the cabinet secretary's office as the appointing authority.
The scandal has drawn political criticism, including from People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, who argued that a minister cannot claim ignorance of an issue of this scale and should take political responsibility by resigning. Both the Orange Democratic Movement and the United Democratic Alliance have defended Wandayi, calling for investigations to proceed without political interference
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has rejected calls to resign over the Sh4.8 billion substandard fuel importation controversy, stating there are no legal or procedural grounds for him to step aside while investigations proceed. Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy on Monday, Wandayi insisted he remains fully capable of performing his duties.
He explained that the disputed shipment entered the country outside the government-to-government arrangement and through administrative processes that did not require his direct approval. A technical committee recommended the procurement, and the Principal Secretary approved it. When the issue surfaced on March 30, Wandayi briefed the president, who directed him to halt a second vessel. Any deviation from the government-to-government framework would have needed higher authorization, which was not sought.
Wandayi noted that certain quality parameters for the consignment fell outside specifications and that a waiver had been requested from the Kenya Bureau of Standards by the State Department for Petroleum. He maintained that Kenya has adequate fuel supplies and attributed any shortages to market players hoarding in anticipation of price increases. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has issued 25 show-cause letters to suspected hoarders and 12 notices to oil marketers.
The secretary distanced himself from the reported resignations of three senior energy officials, saying he was unaware of their reasons and that investigations continue without evidence of coercion. Members of Parliament demanded documentation of those resignations, noting the letters passed through the cabinet secretary's office as the appointing authority.
The scandal has drawn political criticism, including from People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, who argued that a minister cannot claim ignorance of an issue of this scale and should take political responsibility by resigning. Both the Orange Democratic Movement and the United Democratic Alliance have defended Wandayi, calling for investigations to proceed without political interference