Oburu rebukes ‘public lynching’ of CS Opiyo Wandayi, Lee Kinyanjui in fuel scandal

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga has defended Cabinet Secretaries Opiyo Wandayi and Lee Kinyanjui over links to the Ksh. 4.8 billion fuel scandal.

The scandal involves a deal to import two petroleum consignments totalling 128,000 tonnes, outside the Government-to-Government framework.

Wandayi and Kinyanjui, who are Energy and Trade ministers respectively, have been targets of scrutiny over their involvement in the illegal importation of fuel.

While condemning the graft, Oburu warned that there are attempts by unnamed persons to score political points through ‘public rallies, pressers and name-calling’.

“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 wont to do,” said Oburu in a statement on Tuesday.

The ODM leader said the two can be pursued if investigations by relevant bodies link them to the fuel importation scandal.

“This is a time when the nation must close ranks and support full and unapologetic slaying of the dragon of graft – and not scoring points through public rallies, pressers and name-calling but giving encouragement and creating room for full and impartial investigation and subjecting the culprits to justice,” he added.

According to Oburu, ODM is committed to ending corruption, which was one of its goals in the 10-point agenda signed with the ruling coalition Kenya Kwanza.

Oburu argued that the manner in which President William Ruto’s government will handle the fuel scandal “will be the true measure of its commitment to integrity, accountability, and good governance”.

“ODM stands firmly with the people of Kenya in demanding justice, transparency, and the full recovery of any resources lost through this scandal,” he said.

Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohammed Liban, Kenya Pipeline Managing Director Joe Sang, and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General Daniel Kiptoo were arrested for allegedly importing substandard fuel. The energy officials have since resigned from their respective posts.

On Sunday, President William Ruto vowed to take on all involved parties in the fuel importation scheme.

President Ruto said his administration will weed out all the profiteers and cartels in the petroleum sector.

"We will deal firmly, decisively and conclusively with all the cartels in the oil sector," he said.