Pressure is mounting on William Ruto to take decisive action against Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, as the fuel scandal that emerged on Thursday continues to deepen.
In a statement from the Office of the President, conveyed through a letter signed by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and dated April 4, several senior officials were implicated in an alleged scheme to manipulate data on Kenya’s fuel reserves. Those named include Daniel Kiptoo, Joe Sang, Mohamed Liban, and Joseph Wafula.
According to the President, the alleged data manipulation created a false impression of a looming fuel shortage.
This, in turn, led to the irregular procurement of an emergency fuel shipment estimated to have cost KSh4 billion.
The procurement is said to have violated the government-to-government (G2G) oil supply agreement Kenya has with Gulf countries.
“This appears to have been done to exploit rising global prices and public anxiety,” President Ruto stated, adding that the fuel cargo was acquired at inflated prices and was reportedly of substandard quality, in breach of established emergency procurement procedures.
President William Ruto and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi during the past meeting. Photo Courtesy | Nairobi Wire
Following the revelations, Kiptoo, Sang, and Wafula were arrested and remain in police custody, while Liban was released on medical grounds. Kiptoo, Sang, and Liban have since resigned from their respective positions.
The unfolding scandal has intensified calls for accountability, with Boni Khalwale leading demands for Wandayi’s resignation or arrest.
Khalwale argued that as the head of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Wandayi bears ultimate responsibility for policy oversight and implementation.
With public pressure growing, attention now turns to President Ruto and whether he will act against his Cabinet Secretary.
