Petition Filed to Remove CS Wandayi Over Ksh4.8 Billion Fuel Scandal
Pressure continues to mount on Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi following a new petition which has been filed at the High Court.
The petition seeks for his suspension over alleged involvement in the irregular procurement of the Ksh4.8 billion substandard fuel.
On Friday, April 10, activist Francis Awino filed a petition before the Milimani High Court, urging the court to certify the matter as urgent.
Awino also wants the court to grant conservatory orders barring Wandayi from exercising the powers of his office pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The petitioner is also seeking alternative orders to restrict the CS from making or implementing any decisions related to petroleum procurement, importation, licensing, or regulatory approvals as the case proceeds.
At the same time, Awino further wants the court to compel the Energy CS to surrender authority over ongoing fuel importation processes to an independent mechanism operating under court supervision.
Additionally, the petition asks the court to restrain Wandayi from interfering with investigations, witnesses, or evidence linked to the alleged fuel importation scandal.
According to court documents, the activist claims that the CS, as the overall authority in the energy sector, either presided over or was complicit in the unlawful importation of petroleum products that failed to meet required standards.
The petition alleges that the process was riddled with irregularities, including the bypassing of Pre-export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) requirements, importation of fuel that did not meet standards, issuance of questionable waivers, and the blending of substandard fuel with compliant stock.
Taken together, the activist, argues that these actions have exposed consumers to unsafe petroleum products and undermined regulatory safeguards.
He, also, was attacked by goons last week while preparing to address the press on developments in the energy sector.
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Awino has also informed the court that the embattled CS has continued to discharge his duties and exercise power without accountability, including the failure to honour parliamentary summons.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Members of the Energy Committee granted Wandayi another opportunity to appear before them to shed light on the saga after he and other key stakeholders failed to attend a scheduled session.
The committee, chaired by Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria, warned that failure to comply with fresh summons could trigger punitive measures on the CS.
Some of the measures the MPs are considering slapping on the CS include fines and enforcement actions, as it continues probing the controversial fuel importation process.
Petition Filed to Remove CS Wandayi Over Ksh4.8 Billion Fuel Scandal
