Pressure is mounting on Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi following renewed calls from civil society groups demanding accountability over Kenya’s fuel pricing system.
Mtetezi, a grassroots economic justice movement, has called for Wandayi’s immediate withdrawal from office, urging an independent probe into fuel pricing mechanisms and procurement processes.
The pressure follows a recent fuel price adjustment announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which has increased public concern over rising transport and living costs.
Reports cited by activists include alleged irregularities in fuel import arrangements, including a cancelled fuel import deal said to have resulted in significant public losses.
In a statement, Mtetezi urged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to launch a full probe into the energy sector governance concerns.
The group said it has already moved to court under case number HCCHRPET/E230/2026, seeking accountability over a separate substandard fuel importation case.
The latest fuel price increases have triggered ripple effects across the economy, raising transport costs, food prices, and overall cost of living.
As public pressure grows, Mtetezi convenor Francis Awino said accountability must begin at the highest levels of leadership, insisting that Wandayi should step aside.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority maintains that fuel pricing adjustments are based on global oil market trends, exchange rate movements, and tax components under existing policy frameworks.
Officials have not directly responded to the latest allegations by Mtetezi, but have previously emphasized the importance of due process in addressing concerns within the energy sector.
Observers say continued scrutiny could shape future reforms in Kenya’s energy sector as public debate intensifies over transparency and accountability in fuel pricing systems.
Mtetezi’s legal push forms part of broader civic engagement efforts aimed at strengthening governance oversight and ensuring transparency in public resource management.
The movement has signaled its intention to pursue additional public interest litigation focused on procurement transparency, energy sector accountability, and consumer protection in fuel markets.
Activists argue that only sustained oversight and institutional reforms will restore public confidence amid ongoing concerns over fuel pricing irregularities.
Rising fuel costs continue to influence inflationary pressures across Kenya, affecting transport fares, agricultural supply chains, and household budgets nationwide.
Stakeholders are calling for swift resolution of the crisis as debate over energy sector reforms gains momentum across civil society and government.
