Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has been implicated in the Sh4.8 billion fuel scandal, which resulted in the arrest and resignation of three senior government officials.
Leaked letters and meeting minutes obtained from the Ministry of Energy have revealed that CS Wandayi was privy to the irregular importation of a fuel consignment, which was procured outside the government-to-government framework with Gulf suppliers and failed to meet Kenya’s quality standards.
The Energy CS reportedly authorized the entry of the fuel consignment into the Kenyan market despite being fully aware of the severe threat this consignment posed to the nation’s fuel security.
The leaked documents also indicate that Wandayi was also aware that the inflated premium of 255 USD/MT, against the G2G’S 84 USD/MT, would add Sh17.49 per litre.
The letters also implicate Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui in the 4.8 billion fuel scandal.
However, CS Kinyanjui has distanced himself from the scandal, saying that a letter he had written was only giving conditions that were to be met.
“I am not aware of any other happenings beyond the approvals for a waiver. My letter also gave conditions on what the Ministry of Energy, State Department for Petroleum should do, before the importation is effected.
“The Principal Secretary, Mohamed Liban, and the Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director Joe Sang wrote to me seeking authority for a waiver, and I just did what the law requires me to do, nothing else,” he said.
This comes days after CS Wandayi said the substandard fuel could have contributed to a Ksh43.4 per-litre variance compared to the established government-to-government (G2G) deal.
“This difference of Ksh58,744 per metric ton between the One Petroleum cargo and the G-2-G cargo works out to KSh 43.4 per liter, with the G-2-G cargo being cheaper by that amount. Both cargoes are for the month of March,” he stated.
CS Wandayi also said the ministry launched internal measures aimed at strengthening oversight and preventing similar issues in the future.
DCI detectives on Thursday last week arrested Former Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, former KPC Managing Director Joe Sang, and former EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo over the scandal.
Following their arrest, the three resigned from their government positions, with their exit being confirmed by the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei.
The trio was released from custody on Monday, April 6, in the afternoon on police bail as investigations continue.
