Ekuru Aukot, leader of the Thirdway Alliance Party, criticized the government for its vague explanations regarding the country’s fuel situation. He linked this ambiguity to the unresolved Ksh500 million cash scandal and expressed concerns about accountability.
In an interview on a local radio station on April 6, 2026, Aukot challenged the government for not providing clear, evidence-based reasons for the fuel shortages, instead attributing the issue to external global events. “You claim we were expecting this situation, yet you fail to provide a detailed explanation. This isn’t the first time we have heard such excuses,” he stated.
He referenced previous instances, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where global crises were blamed for local shortages, arguing that similar narratives are resurfacing without adequate justification.
His comments emerge amid a growing scandal in the energy sector, where senior officials face allegations of manipulating fuel stock data to create an artificial shortage and justify emergency procurements.
Aukot pointed out that the lack of transparency surrounding the fuel situation reflects the confusion regarding the recovery of substantial cash linked to the same scandal.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) reported the arrest of four senior energy sector officials in connection with the fuel procurement scandal, during which over Ksh500 million was recovered in raids. Those arrested include Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director Joe Sang, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority Director General Daniel Kiptoo, and Petroleum Deputy Director Joseph Wafula, all of whom have since resigned.
Investigators accuse these officials of manipulating national fuel reserve data to create a false shortage, which justified emergency fuel procurements at inflated prices.
Aukot also questioned the inconsistencies regarding the amounts of money recovered from the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC). “Initially, we were informed of Ksh100 million, then it escalated to Ksh500 million. The reality is that we still do not know the exact amount involved,” he remarked.
He characterized the situation as a shenanigan, highlighting the conflicting narratives and claims from investigators and senior officials.
Reports indicate that over Ksh500 million recovered during raids has since gone missing from police custody, raising public concern.
Aukot further addressed governance issues at KPC, noting the reappointment of a senior official previously associated with a Ksh2 billion scandal. “This individual has not cleared his name regarding the Ksh2 billion, and now we are discussing Ksh8 billion,” he questioned.
He cautioned that secrecy and reliance on undisclosed intelligence in public decision-making weaken accountability. “Secrecy was never a solution, especially not in Kenya,” Aukot asserted, emphasizing that the lack of transparency in both the fuel shortage narrative and the missing cash scandal highlights deeper systemic failures in governance and public administration.
