United Democratic Alliance Secretary General Hassan Omar has come out strongly in defense of Cabinet Secretaries Opiyo Wandayi and Lee Kinyanjui amid mounting criticism over alleged substandard fuel imports, urging them to remain focused and not be shaken by what he termed as politically driven attacks.
Speaking during a media interview on Thursday, Omar expressed firm confidence in the leadership of the two Cabinet Secretaries, who oversee the Energy and Petroleum, and Investment, Trade and Industry dockets. He dismissed claims raised by opposition leaders as misleading and sensational.
“We remain confident in the stewardship of CSs Opiyo Wandayi and Lee Kinyanjui and equally ask them to remain steadfast in the face of misleading and defamatory and sensational assertions by the opposition,” he said.
His remarks come against the backdrop of rising political tension over the management of the energy sector, with critics questioning fuel importation standards and broader economic policies.
The debate has intensified following claims of irregularities in the Government-to-Government fuel import arrangement, as well as concerns over fuel pricing and quality.
Omar rejected the criticism, arguing that it is aimed at undermining government programmes and slowing down economic progress.
He accused opposition figures of deliberately seeking to disrupt development efforts and weaken ongoing reforms.
“The characters in the opposition appear bent to sabotage the economy and committed to rolling Kenya’s inclusive development agenda,” he said.
The energy sector has been under close watch following allegations that the G2G fuel import system, introduced in 2023 to ensure steady supply and remove intermediaries, has instead opened the door to opaque pricing and possible cartel influence.
Reports of substandard or non-compliant fuel entering the market have also raised concern, with questions emerging over whether proper quality checks were followed.
Anti-corruption groups have pointed to possible gaps in oversight, warning that such weaknesses could allow questionable fuel consignments into the country. These concerns have triggered fears over both economic impact and safety risks to consumers and industry players.
Opposition leaders have sharply criticised the government, describing the situation as one of the “greatest fuel scandals in the history of independent Kenya.”
They accuse state officials of failing to shield consumers from high prices and alleged manipulation within the fuel supply chain, and have called for accountability from senior officials, including Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi.
They are also pushing for a review of the G2G framework, claiming it favours a few connected players at the expense of ordinary Kenyans.
Within the Orange Democratic Movement, however, a more measured tone has emerged. Senior party figure Oburu Odinga cautioned against rushing to blame the Energy Cabinet Secretary, urging that responsibility be determined through proper investigations rather than public pressure.
He stressed the importance of due process while maintaining that any wrongdoing must be addressed if proven.
At the same time, civil society groups are calling for independent audits and tighter enforcement, warning that public trust in the sector could be damaged if transparency concerns are not addressed.
Omar further claimed that the opposition’s stance reflects deeper political and economic interests, suggesting that their criticism is tied to past governance approaches and existing power structures.
“Reflecting the beliefs of the governments they have served and the desire of their platforms and finances, of the country’s politics and economics,” he said.
He also warned that continued attacks on government policy risk undoing progress made under the current administration, particularly in efforts aimed at inclusive growth and reducing inequality.
“Rolling back Kenya’s inclusive development agenda, and perpetuate marginalization,” he said.
Reaffirming his backing for the two Cabinet Secretaries, Omar said they should stay focused on their mandates and not allow political pressure to derail their work.
“We remain confident in the stewardship of honorable Opiyo Wandayi and Lee Kinyanjui,” he said, adding that both Cabinet Secretaries—responsible for Energy and Petroleum, and Investment, Trade and Industry respectively—are expected to continue executing their duties effectively despite criticism.
He urged them to press on with their responsibilities, maintaining that government operations should not be distracted by what he described as exaggerated claims from political opponents.
“Equally, asked them to remain steadfast in the face of misleading, defamatory and sensational assertions by the opposition characters,” he said.
The ongoing dispute over fuel importation standards continues to dominate public debate, highlighting sharp divisions between government and opposition over economic management and accountability
. While critics push for answers and reforms, government leaders insist that current measures are geared toward strengthening the economy and ensuring stable supply.
As scrutiny on the energy sector persists, the issue remains a key test of governance, transparency and public confidence in one of the country’s most critical industries.