A petition has been filed at the Milimani High Court seeking the suspension of Opiyo Wandayi over alleged involvement in the irregular importation of substandard fuel.
The petitioner, Francis Owino, is asking the court to certify the matter as urgent and issue conservatory orders barring Wandayi from exercising his powers pending the hearing and determination of the case.
In the application, Owino further requests alternative orders to restrict the CS from making or implementing decisions related to petroleum procurement, importation, licensing, and regulatory approvals as the case proceeds.
Court documents indicate that the petitioner also wants Wandayi compelled to hand over authority over ongoing fuel importation processes to an independent mechanism operating under court supervision. Additionally, he is seeking orders to prevent the CS from interfering with investigations, witnesses, or evidence linked to the alleged scandal.
Owino claims that Wandayi, as the overall authority in the energy sector, either presided over or was complicit in the importation of petroleum products that failed to meet required standards.
The petition outlines several alleged irregularities, including bypassing mandatory Pre-export Verification of Conformity (PVoC), importing fuel that does not meet KS EAS 158:2025 standards, issuing questionable waivers, and blending substandard fuel with compliant stock.
According to the filing, these actions have exposed consumers to unsafe fuel, distorted the market, and weakened regulatory safeguards.
The petitioner also notes that several public officials have already been arrested or resigned in connection with the matter, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations. Despite this, he argues that Wandayi has continued to hold office without accountability and has allegedly failed to honour parliamentary summons.
Owino further claims he has faced threats, intimidation, and physical assault while pursuing the case. He argues that unless the court intervenes, both his rights and public interest risk being undermined.
He maintains that the case has a high likelihood of success and that granting conservatory orders is necessary to uphold accountability in the energy sector.
