NAIROBI, Kenya — The fuel scandal that has rocked the country has just taken a new twist, with leaked letters now shifting the spotlight to two Cabinet Secretaries, Trade Cabinet Secretarary Lee Kinyanjui and Energy counterpart Opiyo Wandayi.
The letters, linked to controversial fuel import approvals, are said to reveal the path that allowed billions of shillings worth of fuel deals to go through — deals that have already seen senior officials resign.
Among the most prominent figures to step down is Joe Sang, the Managing Director of the state‑owned Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), who was taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in the controversial fuel consignment probe.
“This investigation is no longer about junior officials. The focus has moved to decisions made at the highest policy levels and the documents will be critical,” a government source told Y News.
In one of the letters, Trade CS writes to the Kenya Bureau of Standards, Esther Ngari, calling for a temporary waiver on the requirement for a certificate of conformity and some parameters on the certificate of quality of refined petroleum products.
Kinyanjui cites the ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which he said has affected marine traffic flow.
In another letter, the PS Liban writes to Wandayi asking him to waive some requirements for 68,000 metric tons of premium motor spirit onboard MT Paloma.
From technocrats to top policymakers
The scandal was initially centred on technocrats in EPRA, KPC, and the Petroleum Ministry.
Today, it has climbed the ladder of power.
Analysts warn that authenticated letters could pin accountability directly on serving Cabinet Secretaries and expose coordination between ministries.
“If the documents are genuine, they will change the course of the probe,” said an energy sector analyst.
