President William Ruto is facing increasing demands to dismiss Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi unless he steps down voluntarily amid the fuel scandal that emerged on Thursday.
A statement from the Office of the President, signed by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on April 4, indicates that EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo, KPC Managing Director Joe Sang, Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, and Petroleum Deputy Director Joseph Wafula may have manipulated data regarding domestic fuel stock levels.
The President contends that this manipulation resulted in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum improperly procuring an emergency fuel shipment valued at approximately Ksh4 billion, contravening the government-to-government agreement Kenya established with Gulf nations for oil supply.
The shipment was acquired in clear violation of the government-to-government framework, at costs substantially higher than agreed rates, completely ignoring standard emergency procurement protocols, and consisted of inferior quality fuel,” the President’s office declared.
President Ruto stated, “This appears designed to capitalize on increasing global prices and public concern, thus manufacturing a false narrative of an imminent fuel shortage.” Kiptoo, Sang, Liban, and Wafula were apprehended on Thursday. Liban was released due to medical reasons, while Kiptoo, Sang, and Wafula continue to be detained by authorities.
Kiptoo, Sang, and Liban have subsequently resigned from their positions.
In response, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has spearheaded the mounting calls for arrest or resignation, which he characterizes as stemming from severe incompetence.
Khalwale stated, “CS Opiyo Wandayi’s fundamental duty is to formulate, execute, evaluate, and uphold policies within the Ministry of Energy & Petroleum. As the head of the ministry, he reports directly to the President.”
He added, “Either he was aware or should have been aware of the diversion of condemned fuel valued at Ksh4 billion into the Kenyan market. If he knew, he must face immediate arrest for criminal liability. If he was unaware, he must assume political accountability and resign or be dismissed.”
Khalwale further cautioned that executive inaction could prompt the National Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings should no measures be taken.
Despite intensifying pressure, Wandayi has not yet made a public comment regarding matters under his ministry’s purview, even as ongoing investigations accelerate.
Meanwhile, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has offered an alternative perspective, suggesting the arrests might connect to entrenched interests within the fuel supply chain rather than a sincere effort toward accountability.
Nyoro asserted, “This has minimal relation to Kenyan welfare and everything to do with smaller figures having consumed resources belonging to powerful individuals. Kenyans deserve clear understanding of this matter to expose the concealed aspects within our fuel industry.”
Nyoro additionally highlighted the government-to-government fuel importation framework, claiming it has functioned for years as a business advantage for well-connected players.