Senate summons CS Kinyanjui over substandard fuel import scandal
By Aloys Michael, April 16, 2026The Senate Energy Committee has summoned Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui to explain his role in the controversial importation of 60,000 metric tonnes of substandard fuel, as pressure mounts over the unfolding scandal.
This comes even as the United Alternative Government has called for the resignation of Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and 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.”
Gachagua, in his statement, said that the scandal has increased the cost of living, which is already high, by trying to make the Kenyans the victims of what he has described as mismanagement and lack of accountability in key government ministries.
Now, the committee says it is seeking clarity on how the consignment was cleared into the country outside the government-to-government fuel importation framework, raising concerns about possible breaches of procedure and oversight failures.
“We want to understand the basis upon which the approval was granted and whether due process was followed,” Veronicah Maina, Nominated Senator, said.
Lawmakers, who inspected petroleum stocks at the Kipevu Oil Storage Facility in Mombasa, confirmed that the contaminated fuel remains in storage under tight security, pending a decision on its fate.
At the same time, the scope of investigations has widened to include activities at the Port of Mombasa, with the Senate also summoning directors of One Petroleum Limited, the firm linked to the shipment.
“Hatujui ni kwa sababu gani walifanya hivyo lakini jana tukiwa kwa mkutano walisema walikuwa wanaomba security kwa mafuta kwa sababu ya ile shida iko kule gulf region walikuwa hawataki mafuta ipotee kwa nchi yetu,” William Kisang, Vice Chairperson, Senate Energy Committee stated.
Questions over fuel scandal
According to the committee, the consignment was offloaded on March 27, 2026, and is currently being held at the Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited facility as investigations continue.
“Wametuambia mafuta imewekwa kando haijaingia market ndio sisi tuko hapa kuestablish kama hiyo mafuta imewekwa kando ama iko kwa soko sasa mpaka sasa bado tunaendelea na uchunguzi,” Kisang noted.
Senators say their priority is to establish whether any of the substandard fuel may have entered the local market, even as they insist on accountability from all parties involved.
“We will ensure accountability and transparency in this matter as investigations continue,” Senator Maina reiterated.
The committee further indicated that shipping the fuel back to its origin remains one of the options under consideration, although no final decision has been made.
“If it’s established, it’s upon KPC and the owner of the consignment, One Petroleum Limited, and KPA to ensure the owner ships back the product to where it came from,” Kisang added.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Pipeline Company has assured legislators that the country has adequate fuel reserves, noting that at least eight more vessels are expected to arrive and discharge petroleum products within the next two weeks.