Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi was repeatedly informed about an irregular emergency fuel consignment worth about KSh 4 billion but still approved its release into the local market, according to internal letters and meeting minutes from the Energy Ministry.
The documents show that Wandayi was briefed in advance that the fuel had been procured outside the usual government-to-government framework with Gulf suppliers.
This deviation from standard procedure immediately raised concerns among officials tasked with oversight. The records further indicate that the consignment did not meet mandatory quality standards, meaning it posed a real risk to fuel infrastructure and public safety.
Despite these warnings, Wandayi is said to have authorized the distribution of the fuel, bypassing key procurement rules and quality checks. This decision has now become the centre of growing scrutiny, especially as more details emerge about the internal objections that were raised before the fuel entered the market.
Industry players warn that substandard fuel can have wide effects. It can damage vehicle engines, increase maintenance costs for both individuals and businesses, and weaken trust in systems meant to protect consumers. For a country that depends heavily on fuel for transport and economic activity, such risks carry serious consequences.
The ministry’s own correspondence shows that some officials feared the emergency import could also affect national fuel security. However, no clear corrective steps were taken before distribution began. This has raised questions about how such warnings were handled at the highest level.
Officials within the ministry have privately described the situation as one of the most challenging procurement lapses in recent years, pointing to deeper systemic failures.
However, Wandayi himself has not publicly addressed the records or explained why he approved the shipment despite the concerns raised.
His silence has drawn criticism from various quarters. Some leaders and civil society groups argue that it reflects a lack of accountability at a time when consumers are already dealing with higher costs and uncertainty about fuel quality. Calls for an independent investigation into the procurement process are now growing louder.
Political observers say the issue could affect public confidence in government oversight, especially in a sensitive sector like energy.
With no formal statement yet from the Ministry addressing the documents, pressure continues to build for clear answers.
Attention remains firmly on Wandayi and the decisions that allowed the disputed fuel into the market.
