Oburu defends CS Wandayi and Lee Kinyanjui amid mounting resignation calls
By Emmanuel Rono, April 19, 2026Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Oburu Odinga has broken ranks with sections of the opposition by opposing their demand for the resignation of cabinet secretaries in the Trade and Energy docket over the fuel scandal.
Speaking during an interview aired on a local radio station on Sunday, April 19, 2026, Oburu argued that political pressure should not supersede formal legal processes.
He stated that a leader should only vacate office if formal evidence of wrongdoing exists.
“We are not shielding anybody, but resignation is not the point. If the investigations find that they are culpable, then they will be mentioned,” Oburu made it clear.
Politicians are not investigative authority
He referenced the governance standards of the Mwai Kibaki era, noting that once a person is mentioned negatively by the investigative authority, they step aside until the investigations are over.
He cautioned against a culture where leaders are forced out simply due to the optics of their position.
“You don’t drag somebody’s name politically because he is the head just because he is the minister you want him to be dragged and his name has not been mentioned by the investigative authority,” Oburu stated.
Oburu has warned that, as politicians, they are not an investigative authority mandated to probe or determine culpability.
“We are not, as politicians the investigative authority,” Oburu said.
Opposition leaders demands resignation
Oburu’s sentiments come days after the United Alternative Government called for the resignation of Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and his trade counterpart Lee Kinyanjui over the fuel importation saga.
Speaking on behalf of the opposition figures on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on the two CSs to step aside and allow a proper investigation into the scandal.
“We unequivocally demand the resignation and prosecution of the minister for energy and petroleum, Mr Opiyo Wandayi, for the fuel scandal and lying under oath to the National Assembly committee,” Gachagua demanded.
“We also demand the resignation of Lee Kinyanjui for being complicit and for being part of the scandal,” he added.
Fuel price surge
The sentiments from the opposition follow the announcement of the fuel price increase by the Energy and Petroleum Regulation Authority (EPRA).
In a press release on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, EPRA released new fuel prices to be in force from April 15, 2026 to May 14, 2026.
In an addendum to its earlier pricing review released on April 14, 2026, EPRA said the revised prices follow a directive by the National Treasury to cut VAT on petroleum products from 13 per cent to 8 per cent under a legal notice dated April 15, 2026.
The regulator outlined new pump prices in Nairobi, noting that “Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene now retail at Ksh197.60, Ksh196.63 and Ksh152.78 respectively.”