The Ministry of Energy, under Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, has moved swiftly to clamp down on irregularities in the petroleum sector, ordering One Petroleum Ltd to withdraw 60,000 tonnes of Super Petrol imported into the country in breach of the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) fuel supply framework.
In a directive issued on April 7, 2026, Wandayi did not mince his words. He instructed the company to not only remove the consignment from the Kenyan market but also cancel all related invoices, effectively pulling the rug from under a deal deemed non-compliant.
The move signals a no-nonsense approach as the government seeks to clean house in a sector long dogged by controversy.
Further tightening the screws, the CS directed the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to exclude the disputed fuel shipment from the monthly computation of petroleum product costs.
This decision is expected to shield consumers from bearing the financial burden of a transaction that fell outside established procurement rules. In simple terms, wananchi will not be asked to foot the bill for a deal that went off the rails.
The G-to-G arrangement, designed to streamline fuel imports and stabilize prices, has been under increasing scrutiny following reports of non-compliance and alleged backdoor dealings.
Opiyo Wandayi’s latest intervention appears aimed at drawing a line in the sand—sending a clear message that the days of cutting corners are numbered.
Political observers argue that this decisive action is as much about restoring public confidence as it is about enforcing discipline.
The fuel sector, often described as the engine of the economy, cannot afford to run on murky deals and opaque transactions. As the saying goes, you cannot cook ugali with dirty water—integrity in supply chains is non-negotiable.
The directive also places One Petroleum Ltd in a tight spot, forcing the firm to move with speed or risk further sanctions.
While the company has yet to publicly respond, industry insiders suggest that compliance will be closely monitored, with regulators expected to keep their eyes on the ball.
This development comes against the backdrop of ongoing investigations into the importation of substandard fuel, a saga that has stirred public anger and reignited debate on accountability.
Opiyo Wandayi’s actions, therefore, could mark a turning point—if followed through with consistency and transparency.