Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi now finds himself at the centre of one of Kenya’s most serious fuel scandals in recent years, even as he tries to present himself as the person exposing problems within the same ministry he leads.
This situation has raised difficult questions among Kenyans about leadership, responsibility, and whether those in charge can distance themselves from failures happening under their watch.
The unfolding oil scandal has drawn attention to how the energy sector is managed and how decisions are made at the highest levels.
Reports indicate that about 60,000 metric tonnes of substandard petrol were imported outside the Government-to-Government fuel framework.
This has not only raised concerns about quality control but also about how such a large transaction could happen without proper oversight.
The issue has had real effects on ordinary citizens, including fuel shortages and rising transport costs.
Several senior officials have already been linked to the scandal. Among them are former Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohammed Liban, former EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo, and former Kenya Pipeline Corporation Managing Director Joe Sang.
They have faced arrest over claims of falsifying fuel stock data and manipulating supply figures to justify emergency imports that cost taxpayers billions.
While they have been released on bail and are awaiting trial, attention has steadily shifted to the leadership above them.
Despite heading the ministry at the centre of the crisis, Wandayi has not stepped aside. Instead, he has taken a more public role, warning about cartels and claiming that powerful networks are working against reforms.
While such cartels are widely believed to exist in Kenya, many people remain unconvinced by this explanation. Critics argue that these claims often appear only after scandals are exposed, making them seem like a way to manage public anger rather than prevent wrongdoing.
The situation has reminded many Kenyans of past political events. During the National Youth Service scandal, former Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru also spoke about cartels and positioned herself as someone trying to fix problems within her ministry.
At the time, public pressure grew, investigations continued, and she eventually stepped down.
That experience shaped how Kenyans now respond to similar situations.For many observers, the main issue is simple. Leadership comes with responsibility.
Wandayi is expected to ensure systems work properly and prevent such failures. When problems reach this scale, it becomes difficult for the same leader to also claim the role of an outsider exposing wrongdoing.
