Wandayi Faces Fresh Trouble as Court Petition Seeks Immediate Suspension

A petition has been filed with the Milimani High Court seeking the suspension of Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi over claims related to the importation of substandard fuel.

The applicant wants the court to intervene urgently and halt the CS from exercising office powers while it hears the case.

Francis Owino, the petitioner, urges the court to certify the matter as urgent and issue conservatory orders. He argues that the case raises serious public interest concerns that require immediate judicial attention.

In addition, he wants the court to restrict the Cabinet Secretary from handling ongoing fuel importation processes. The petitioner also pushes for an independent mechanism to take over the operations under court supervision.

“According to court documents, the Petitioner also wants the court to compel the Respondent to surrender authority over ongoing fuel importation processes to an independent mechanism under court supervision,” he stated in the filings.

Claims of Irregular Fuel Importation Surface

Owino accuses the Energy CS of involvement in the alleged importation of petroleum products that failed to meet required standards. He claims the process involved major regulatory breaches that affected the integrity of the fuel supply chain.

“The imported fuel failed to meet KS EAS 158:2025 standards,” he also highlighted claims, pointing to the alleged bypass of the Pre-export Verification of Conformity (PVoC).

At the same time, he accuses authorities of issuing questionable waivers that allowed entry of non-compliant fuel.

Furthermore, he alleges that some operators mixed substandard fuel with compliant stock. As a result, he argues that consumers were exposed to unsafe petroleum products while the market was distorted.

Also Read: Why CS Opiyo Wandayi Skipped Summons by MPs Over Ksh 4.8 Billion Scandal

Arrests and Resignations Deepen Scrutiny

The petitioner notes that several public officials have already faced arrest or resignation over the same matter. He argues that these developments point to the seriousness of the alleged scandal and reinforce the need for court intervention.

However, he maintains that the Cabinet Secretary continues to serve in office and exercise authority. He also claims that the CS has failed to honour parliamentary summons, which he links to accountability concerns.

Concerns Over Interference in Investigations

Owino warns that the Cabinet Secretary’s continued stay in office could interfere with ongoing investigations. He argues that the powers of the office may influence witnesses, evidence, and investigative processes.

Therefore, he asks the court to bar any interference with investigations and protect the integrity of evidence linked to the case. He insists that only a neutral mechanism can ensure fairness during the process.

Also Read: CS Opiyo Wandayi Given 48-Hour Ultimatum to Resign

Allegations of Intimidation and Rights Violation

The petitioner also raises personal safety concerns. He claims that he has faced threats, intimidation, and even physical assault while pursuing the matter.

As a result, he argues that his constitutional rights have already suffered violations. He insists that continued inaction could worsen the situation and weaken accountability efforts.

Call for Conservatory Orders

Finally, Owino argues that he has established a prima facie case with a strong chance of success. He adds that the balance of public interest supports granting conservatory orders.

He urges the court to act fast to protect public interest, safeguard investigations, and maintain integrity in the energy sector while the case proceeds.

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