Principal Secretary for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Susan Mang’eni has defended the government’s handling of the fuel scandal, calling it a national security issue and urging unity.
As DCI investigations lead to arrests and resignations of top energy officials, she backed President Ruto’s crackdown on cartels and warned public officers to take responsibility or resign over actions against public interest.
Speaking on Monday, she said not everything is to be opposed, affirming that sometimes, investigations need to be done on matters national concern.
“Not everything should be opposed, there comes a time when we must read from the same script,” she said, adding that the fuel situation “is of national importance, in fact, a matter of national security.”
Her remarks come as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) intensifies a probe into what authorities describe as an artificial fuel shortage created through falsified data.
Detectives have arrested and questioned senior officials, including the Petroleum Principal Secretary, the Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director, and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General.
DCI say the officials are suspected of manipulating fuel stock figures to create panic and justify emergency procurement outside established frameworks.
Mang’eni expressed support for President William Ruto, praising his firm stance against what he has described as cartels within the energy sector.
“We are happy. We support His Excellency the President’s stand, he will not entertain people who are trying to create a crisis of fuel,” she said.
The President has vowed decisive action, warning that those behind the scandal will face consequences. He has stated that his administration “will deal firmly, decisively and conclusively with all cartels” in the oil sector.
Mang’eni also endorsed the government’s recent actions against implicated officials, saying, “We fully support the action taken yesterday and commend him(President William Ruto) for it.”
The investigation has already led to high-profile resignations following arrests, with authorities linking the alleged scheme to the importation of overpriced and substandard fuel.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has similarly cautioned against politicising the probe, urging patience as investigations continue.
“We wish to appeal to the public to be patient and allow the relevant government agencies to undertake independent and professional investigations,” he said.
Mang’eni warned public officers that accountability is unavoidable, saying resignation should be immediate where wrongdoing is evident.
“He has made it clear that whenever one acts against the interests of Kenyans, there is no need to wait to be told , you should simply resign,” she said.
She extended this responsibility to senior officials across government. “Even as accounting officers, PSs, we are responsible, and we have to take responsibility on every position, on every action that you undertake,” she added.
The PS criticised opposition leaders for what she described as politicising the issue, dismissing their reactions as routine political manoeuvring.
“I think those opposition leaders are just playing their usual cheap politics. This is not a matter that you want to politic with it,” she said.
Authorities maintain that fuel supply remains stable despite the controversy, even as investigations continue into procurement processes and regulatory oversight.
Mang’eni reiterated that the stakes go beyond politics, stressing the broader implications for the country.
“This is a national security issue,” she said.
The probe continues to widen, with investigators examining both local and international aspects of the fuel importation chain as part of efforts to establish accountability and restore confidence in the sector.
