The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has cautioned that attempts to publicly blame Cabinet Secretaries Lee Kinyanjui and Opiyo Wandayi over the ongoing petroleum scandal risk derailing investigations and politicizing the probe.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, ODM party leader Oburu Oginga said the officials are not accounting officers, but stressed that professional findings of culpability must be acted on without exception.
“Attempts at public lynching of Cabinet Secretaries Lee Kinyanjui and Opiyo Wandayi who are not accounting officers, as some leaders are attempting, will only derail the investigations and politicize the scam as we Kenyans are wont to do,” the statement read.
The party expressed profound outrage at the unfolding petroleum sector scandal, highlighting the entrenched culture of impunity that continues to undermine Kenya’s progress.
“At a time when Kenyans are grappling with a high cost of living, any abuse of the petroleum sector so central to our economy and daily life is both unacceptable and deeply offensive to the public conscience,” Oginga said.
ODM, however, commended investigative authorities for their swift action in initiating inquiries into the matter, noting that prompt investigations send a strong signal that complacency in the face of corruption must end.
The party also praised President for ensuring that the investigations proceed professionally, transparently, and free from interference or favoritism.
“Every public officer found culpable, regardless of their rank, office, or political persuasion, must be held fully accountable,” the party leader said, emphasizing that the fight against corruption should be comprehensive, impartial, and relentless.
ODM warned against scoring political points through rallies, press statements, or name-calling, urging leaders to instead create space for full and impartial investigations and ensure that those responsible face justice.
The party reiterated that the fight against corruption remains a central pillar of the ODM-UDA 10-point agenda.
Oginga said, “The seriousness with which this administration confronts this vice will be the true measure of its commitment to integrity, accountability, and good governance. The Kenyan people expect and deserve nothing less.”
ODM affirmed its solidarity with Kenyans in demanding justice, transparency, and the full recovery of any resources lost through the scandal, underscoring that no individual should be treated as untouchable.
The statement comes amid a widening probe into irregularities in Kenya’s petroleum sector that has seen top energy officials arrested and charged.
Investigators allege former Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, ex‑Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Managing Director Joe Sang and former Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria manipulated fuel stock data and authorised irregular procurement of a Sh4.8 billion fuel consignment outside established Government‑to‑Government (G‑to‑G) frameworks, actions that may have enabled overpriced and potentially substandard imports.