CS Opiyo Wandayi Given 48-Hour Ultimatum to Resign

Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Opiyo Wandayi has been issued a 48-hour ultimatum to resign over the Ksh 4.8 billion fuel scandal involving the importation of substandard fuel outside the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) framework.

While addressing the media on Thursday, April 9, 2026, a lobby group dubbed the Grassroots Economic Justice Movement called on the CS to step down, linking him to the controversial importation that has already seen several junior officials resign. Those who have stepped aside include Daniel Kiptoo, Joe Sang, and Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban.

“Within those 48 hours, if you don’t resign, we will have to take further action. We had planned to present a petition to Parliament, but instead, we will take it directly to your office. You will have to resign, and you won’t leave until you do,” one of the members said.

CS Opiyo Wandayi Given 48-Hour Ultimatum to Resign

Another member blamed President William Ruto, accusing him of failing to rein in his Cabinet.

“Because we’ve realised this issue will persist, especially when those in power fail to act. If President Ruto reined in his Cabinet members, we would not be facing the current problems,” the member said.

He added that, besides Wandayi, other government officials, including Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui and Kenya Bureau of Standards Managing Director Esther Ngari, should also resign.

Also Read: CS Wandayi Fails to Appear Before MPs Over Ksh 4.8 Billion Fuel Scandal

Another member alleged that greed drove the controversial deal, claiming the imported fuel could have been used to test counterfeit products using Kenyans’ vehicles.

He further accused authorities of intimidating the media and warned that continued impunity could harm the country.

Calls for the resignation of Wandayi and other officials come as the CS has been summoned to appear before the National Assembly Energy Committee to explain the scandal, which has dominated headlines for days following the arrest of several officials by Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers on the night of Thursday, April 2, 2026.

About the Scandal

At the centre of the controversy is a Ksh 4.8 billion fuel import scandal that rocked Kenya in early April 2026, involving the irregular emergency purchase of about 60,000 metric tonnes of petrol.

Senior energy officials allegedly manipulated fuel shortage data to justify bypassing the cheaper G-to-G supply system, opting instead for a more expensive private shipment. This resulted in a price difference of about Ksh 2.9 billion on a single cargo.

Also Read: CS Wandayi Issues New Orders After Ksh 4.8 Billion Fuel Scandal

The imported fuel, reportedly substandard, was cleared through suspicious processes involving alleged collusion between government officials and business interests, raising fears of higher pump prices.

The scandal triggered major fallout, with key officials, including the Petroleum PS, the Managing Director of Kenya Pipeline Company, and the Director General of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, resigning and being arrested.

Senior Cabinet members have also been linked to the saga, although they have denied any wrongdoing.

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