Raila Odinga wants Chirchir, Ndung’u to resign and charged over oil import scandal

Raila Odinga has maintained his blame on the government over the rising fuel prices.

The opposition leader extended his claim of the oil import scandal, accusing Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir and his Treasury counterpart Njuguna Ndung’u.

What Raila wants Ruto’s government to do

Speaking on Monday, November 20, Raila said Chirchir and Ndung’u should resign from their roles, calling on the government to table details of the transaction.

“Davis Chirchir and Njuguna Ndung’u have gone against the constitution, committed criminal offices, and abused office. They must not only resign but also be prosecuted,” said Raila.

This followed the oil import dossier released by the Azimio One Kenya Coalition leader, claiming that oil companies contracted by the government do not pay taxes.

The government entered into an oil import credit deal with three companies from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The government-to-government deal was expected to ease US dollar pressure on the shilling and stabilise pump prices.

However, Raila argued that the deal was not agreed on between the three governments as Ruto’s administration pointed out.

“Only the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum signed a deal with state-owned petroleum companies in the Middle East. Why Ruto chose to characterize the deal as G2G is the first red flag that points to mischief,” said Raila on Thursday, November 16, during the release of the dossier.

Why Raila is questioning G2G oil deal

Despite this, the shilling has been on a free fall against the dollar since the deal was struck in March 2023.

Data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) indicated that the shilling traded at KSh 152.11 per USD1 as of Thursday, November 16.

Prices of petroleum products have also been on the rise, despite a drop in the international market.

Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) revised maximum pump prices for November 15 to December 14, 2023.

In Nairobi, a litre of super petrol currently retails at KSh 217.36, diesel at KSh 203.47, and kerosene – mostly used by poor households in Kenya – at KSh 203.6,

Ruto’s administration dismissed the claims, saying the G2G deal is above board and has been extended to end in December 2024.