Wandayi: I was kept in the dark in the controversial fuel

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has distanced himself from a controversial fuel shipment, saying he was not involved in its approval and only learnt of it after the fact.

Speaking amid mounting scrutiny, Wandayi said former Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban sanctioned the transaction at the ministry level.

Liban has since resigned as probe into the irregular shipment continues.

The CS who was appearing before the National Assembly’s Energy Committee said such approval ought to have the blessings of the Cabinet.

“From the outset, since entered Government -to – Government (G-to-G), a framework established upon cabinet resolution and governed by law. We have never imported fuel out of this arrangement,” Wandayi explained.

 “Any deviation from it would naturally require concurrence or approval by the Cabinet. The approval of the cabinet secretary was not sought. I would have escalated the President.”

“I have already stated that the procurement of this particular vessel was recommended by a technical committee and a brief was prepared and forwarded to PS, the PS in his wisdom approved it,” Wandayi said.

The CS said the consignment will not be factored in pricing of fuel by EPPRA tomorrow even as he explained it would have seen pump prices rise by Sh14 for every litre.

“If that particular consignment was to be factored in the prices, it would have meant an increase of Sh14 per litre because I directed that it should not be factored, that increase will not be there,” Wandayi stated.

Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria chairs the Energy Committee that is seeking answers over concerns surrounding fuel importation process and its impact on consumers.

The CS also defended his continued stay in office despite growing calls for accountability, maintaining that he has no reason.

“There is no reason to stop me from continuing with my duties,” he told the committee.

Wandayi also assured the country of enough fuel stock urging Kenyans not to panic as the government is making plans to restock.

“We have sufficient oil that can sustain the country for the next 14 days and as we speak there are more vessels in the sea bringing in more fuel, so there is no alarm of shortages, we have sufficient fuel in the country,” the CS said.

His remarks come as pressure mounts on top government officials to take responsibility over decisions linked to the energy sector, with three top officials so far resigned.

Liban, EPRA director general Daniel Kiptoo, Kenya Pipeline MD Joe Sang and Energy Ministry Deputy Director Joseph Wafula resigned from office following their arrest.

On Tuesday, the government ordered One Petroleum Ltd to withdraw invoices and export a consignment of super petrol imported outside the G-to-G framework, saying the shipment posed a risk to fuel supply stability and would have significantly increased pump prices.

Kenya entered into master framework agreements on March 10, 2023 for the supply of super petrol, diesel and jet fuel/kerosene under a G-to-G arrangement with Aramco Trading, Fujairah FZE, ADNOC Global Trading Limited and Emirates National Oil Company (Singapore) Private Limited, anchored in the Petroleum (Importation) Regulations, 2023.