Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi was aware of an irregular fuel consignment worth about Ksh4 billion that was imported into the country outside the normal system, according to official letters and meeting minutes from the Energy Ministry.
The shipment did not meet Kenya’s usual fuel quality standards, yet it was still cleared and allowed into the market, raising serious concerns about how such a decision was made and who approved it.
The documents indicate that Wandayi was informed about the situation early, when there were growing concerns of a possible fuel shortage toward the end of March 2026.
To avoid any disruption, officials moved quickly and invited emergency supply offers from oil marketers. It was through this process that the questionable consignment was brought in.
Reports later showed that the fuel failed key quality checks, including those related to sulphur levels and octane rating, which are important for engine performance and environmental safety.
This move has drawn attention because Kenya normally relies on a structured government-to-government system to import fuel. This arrangement is designed to ensure stable supply, better pricing, and consistent quality.
By stepping outside this framework, the country ended up paying more for fuel that did not meet the required standards.
Some comparisons showed that the irregular shipment was more expensive per litre than fuel imported through the usual Gulf-based agreements. Government figures later pointed to a loss of about Ksh2.9 billion linked to the 68 million litres from this consignment.
A second shipment under similar terms was stopped before arrival to prevent further losses.
The issue has also led to major consequences within the Energy Ministry and related agencies. Several senior officials resigned and were later arrested. These include the Petroleum Principal Secretary, the managing director of the Kenya Pipeline Company, and the head of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Some reports suggest that fuel stock data may have been misrepresented, creating an impression of a shortage that justified the emergency procurement.
This has raised further concerns about whether the situation was handled in good faith.
Critics have argued that responsibility should not stop at junior or mid-level officials. Leaders such as Senator Boni Khalwale have publicly called on Wandayi to take responsibility, saying that as Cabinet Secretary, he had the duty to ensure proper oversight and protect public resources.
The criticism reflects wider public concern about accountability at the highest level of decision-making.
Wandayi has responded by saying that the government acted to protect the public once more details became clear.
He has defended the fuel import system, noting that it has helped the country remain stable despite challenges in global supply, especially from the Gulf region.
He also confirmed that an internal review is ongoing to improve how fuel is managed, with a focus on transparency and stronger quality controls.
According to him, current fuel stocks in the country remain sufficient.
Even so, the situation has left many Kenyans worried. Substandard fuel can damage vehicles and increase pollution, while the higher cost of the shipment means taxpayers may have carried an unnecessary financial burden.
Investigations are still ongoing, and there is growing interest in understanding how the decisions were made and whether proper procedures were followed.
