NAIROBI, Kenya- Pressure is mounting on President William Ruto to take decisive action against Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi as the substandard fuel scandal escalates, drawing in top government officials and exposing serious oversight gaps in the energy sector.
The crisis, which broke late Thursday, has already led to the arrest of senior figures, including Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, Daniel Kiptoo, and Joe Sang, in a coordinated operation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Detectives are probing the alleged importation of substandard fuel and possible manipulation of procurement and supply processes.
“There is growing concern at State House that the fallout from this fuel scandal is escalating faster than expected. The President is closely monitoring the situation and weighing his options,” a highly placed source told Y News.
Investigations have since revealed that the scandal may involve irregular fuel shipments that bypassed the established Government-to-Government (G-to-G) framework, with reports indicating that a vessel was rerouted and offloaded under suspicious circumstances.
“There is no decision yet on Opiyo Wandayi, but all options are on the table, including asking him to step aside to protect the integrity of the investigations,” the source added.
Authorities are now examining how the contaminated fuel entered the Kenyan market despite regulatory safeguards, with concerns mounting over potential collusion among senior officials and failures within key institutions responsible for quality control.
The scandal has also triggered widespread public outrage, particularly after motorists across the country reported cases of engine damage linked to poor-quality fuel.
Analysts warn that the crisis could have far-reaching economic implications if confidence in Kenya’s fuel supply chain is not urgently restored.
Amid the fallout, several top officials have already resigned, intensifying pressure on the Ministry of Energy’s political leadership.
Critics argue that as the Cabinet Secretary in charge, Wandayi bears ultimate responsibility for the sector and should step aside to allow independent investigations.
So far, Wandayi has not publicly indicated any intention to resign, even as calls grow louder from political leaders, industry stakeholders, and sections of the public demanding accountability at the highest level.
The government has maintained that investigations are ongoing and has vowed firm action against those found culpable.
However, the spotlight is now firmly on President Ruto, with many watching whether he will sack his Energy CS or allow him to take political responsibility voluntarily.
As the probe deepens, the unfolding scandal is shaping into one of the most significant tests of accountability in Kenya’s energy sector—raising fundamental questions about governance, transparency, and the protection of consumers.
