Oburu Defends CSs Wandayi and Lee Kinyanjui Amid Calls for Their Resignation

Orange Democratic Movement Leader Dr Oburu Oginga has come out to defend Cabinet Secretaries Opiyo Wandayi and Lee Kinyanjui amid rising calls for their resignation over the Ksh 4.8 billion fuel scandal.

In a statement released on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the ODM party leader urged political leaders to stop politicizing the fuel scandal but instead let investigators play their role on the issue.

“Attempts at public lynching of cabinet secretaries Lee Kinyanjui and Opiyo Wandayi who are not accounting officers, as some leaders are attempting, will only derail the investigations and politicise the scam as we Kenyans are won’t to do,” said Oburu.

Oburu Defends CSs Wandayi and Lee Kinyanjui

However, Oburu maintained that should investigations establish any wrongdoing on the part of the two Cabinet Secretaries, they must be held accountable without exception.

Oburu, speaking on behalf of ODM, in an official statement, expressed outrage over the unfolding petroleum scandal, describing it as a reflection of entrenched corruption and misuse of public resources that continues to hinder the country’s development.

He noted that the scandal comes at a time when Kenyans are already burdened by the high cost of living, terming any malpractice in the petroleum sector as both unacceptable and insensitive to the struggles of ordinary citizens.

Also Read: CS Lee Kinyanjui Breaks Silence Amid Calls for His Resignation Over Ksh 4.8 Billion Fuel Scandal

At the same time, Oburu commended investigative agencies for swiftly launching probes into the matter, saying the move signals a shift toward greater accountability.

The ODM party leader praised President William Ruto for ensuring that the investigations proceed in a professional, transparent, and interference-free manner.

“Such promptness sends a strong signal that the era of complacency in the face of corruption must come to an end,” the statement read.

Oburu further reiterated that the fight against corruption is a central pillar of the ODM-UDA 10-point agenda.

He stressed that the seriousness with which President Ruto’s administration confronts this vice will be the true measure of its commitment to integrity, accountability, and good governance adding that the Kenyan people expect and deserve nothing less.

CSs Face Pressure as Ksh 4.8 Billion Fuel Scandal Deepens

Oburu stated that ODM stands firmly with the people of Kenya in demanding justice, transparency, and the full recovery of any resources lost through the scandal.

Also Read: Top Energy Officials Detained as Fuel Supply Scandals Rock East Africa

The ODM party leader’s statement comes at a time when Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi and Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui are under scrutiny over Kenya’s Ksh 4.8 billion fuel importation scandal, following leaked letters linking them to disputed approvals.

The deal involved irregular importation of two petroleum consignments totaling about 128,000 tonnes outside the standard Government-to-Government framework, amid claims of exploiting Middle East supply disruptions to bring in substandard fuel with high sulphur, manganese, and benzene levels.

One cargo reportedly caused a loss of about Ksh 2.9 billion, while a second shipment was stopped to prevent further damage.

The scandal has already led to the arrest and resignation of senior officials, including Petroleum PS Mohamed Liban, EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo, and Kenya Pipeline Company MD Joe Sang. Investigators are now seeking explanations from the two Cabinet Secretaries over tax waivers, quality exemptions, and oversight decisions.

Wandayi has defended his ministry, insisting fuel supplies remain stable and dismissing claims of wrongdoing as disinformation, even as public pressure mounts for accountability.

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