Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has called for urgent action against Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, linking him directly to the ongoing Sh4 billion fuel procurement scandal that has seen senior energy officials arrested.
Speaking on the matter, Khalwale emphasized that CS Wandayi, as the head of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, holds ultimate responsibility for policy oversight, implementation, and enforcement within the sector.
“CS Opiyo Wandayi’s core responsibility is to develop, implement, review and enforce policies in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. He is the leader, reporting directly to the President,” Khalwale stated.
The senator expressed concern over the apparent diversion of condemned fuel into the Kenyan market by three senior officials, describing the act as a major breach of governance.
“He knew or ought to have known the diversion of condemned fuel worth Sh4 billion by those three thieves into the Kenyan market. If he knew, he must be arrested immediately for criminal culpability,” Khalwale said.
Khalwale further added that, should CS Wandayi have been unaware of the illicit activities, it would represent a significant lapse in political and administrative responsibility.
“If he didn’t know, he must immediately take political responsibility and resign or be sacked for cross incompetence,” he said.
The senator also warned that failure by the executive to act would leave Parliament with no choice but to intervene.
“If the President fails to sack him because of shenanigans of broad-based government, the National Assembly must then exercise its constitutional mandate and impeach him,” Khalwale warned.
The call comes after coordinated operations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) led to the arrest of at least four top energy officials, including the Petroleum PS Liban Mohamed, Kenya Pipeline Company MD Joe Sang, EPRA Director-General Daniel Kiptoo, and a senior petroleum official.
Investigators allege these officials were involved in irregular procurement and importation of substandard fuel, potentially exposing taxpayers to losses of up to Sh4 billion.
The scandal has heightened scrutiny on Kenya’s energy sector, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and regulatory oversight.