The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Tuesday, April 7, announced that it would not protect Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi if investigations find him culpable in the ongoing fuel scandal.
In a statement issued by ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga, the party condemned what it termed as premature public condemnation of CS Wandayi and his Trade counterpart, Lee Kinyanjui. Oburu cautioned against linking the two cabinet secretaries to the scandal before the conclusion of official investigations, describing such actions as unfair and politically motivated.
“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 politicise the scam,” the statement read in part.
However, Oburu made it clear that ODM would not defend any of its members if found guilty. “Should professional investigations place responsibility on their actions, then there must be no sacred cows,” he stated, emphasizing that every public officer, regardless of rank or political affiliation, must be held accountable if implicated in corruption.
The Siaya Senator reiterated that the fight against corruption was one of the key pillars of the 10-point agenda that underpinned the political accord between President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga. He lauded President Ruto for his firm stance on the matter, particularly for allowing investigations to proceed without interference.
“We further commend His Excellency the President for ensuring that these investigations proceed in a professional, expeditious, and transparent manner, free from interference or favouritism,” Oburu said.
Oburu expressed ODM’s outrage over the scandal, describing it as a manifestation of a worrying culture of impunity and misuse of public resources. He noted that the alleged abuse of the petroleum sector was especially troubling given its central role in the economy and the daily lives of Kenyans.
“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,” the statement concluded.
