Questions are now being raised over a fuel supply deal that has left Kenya facing a potential loss of Ksh3.2 billion and continued pressure from high pump prices.
At the center of the issue is Oryx Energies Kenya Limited, led by Managing Director Angeline Maangi, alongside senior government officials who approved the arrangement under unclear circumstances.
The deal, which was initiated in March 2026, involved Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui. It was presented as an emergency response to fuel supply disruptions from the Middle East.
Oryx Energies moved quickly to secure a shipment of 60,000 metric tonnes of petrol, which was already en route to Kenya within days.
However, the process used to approve the deal has come under heavy scrutiny. Kenya normally relies on a government-to-government fuel import system that ensures competitive pricing and proper oversight. In this case, that framework was bypassed entirely.
There was no competitive bidding and no clear explanation as to why standard procedures were not followed. This has led investigators and lawmakers to question whether the emergency was genuine or used as a reason to avoid scrutiny.
Concerns deepened after it emerged that the fuel may have been overpriced compared to normal market rates. Officials indicated that the pricing could have added about Ksh14 per litre at the pump, placing an extra burden on consumers who are already struggling with the high cost of living.
More serious allegations have also surfaced regarding the quality of the fuel. Investigations by authorities, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, are examining claims that the shipment did not meet Kenya’s required standards.
There are also suspicions that the fuel may have originally been intended for another country before being redirected to Kenya.
These developments prompted the government to cancel the deal on March 31 and prevent the fuel from entering the local supply chain.
Maangi has defended the actions of her company, maintaining that Oryx Energies acted in good faith and responded directly to a government request.
She has denied that the fuel was substandard and has challenged the cancellation of the contract, arguing that it was not valid.
Her company is now seeking compensation for the losses it claims to have incurred.
Even with this defense, critics argue that her experience in the petroleum sector should have enabled her to identify any irregularities in the deal before committing to it.
Having worked in major firms such as Mobil Oil Kenya and Libya Oil Kenya, she is seen as someone with deep understanding of the industry and its procedures.
The country remains exposed to both financial and economic consequences. A fuel tanker linked to the deal is still stranded, and legal disputes could further increase costs.
For many Kenyans, the biggest concern is whether those responsible will be held accountable or whether the burden will ultimately fall on taxpayers.
This report draws from Senate discussions, official government communications, and public records available up to April 2026.
Inquiries into the matter are still underway.
