'I've fought corruption all my life'- Wandayi speaks on facing cartels in energy sector

Former National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, who was nominated for the post of Cabinet Secretary Energy and Petroleum, said that the problem with Kenya's energy sector is that it is infested by cartels.

The Ugunja MP on Saturday told the vetting panel that he was ready to face the cartels, arguing that he has loathed corruption for a long time.

"On corruption within the energy sector and whether I'm prepared to deal with it, my stand on corruption also remains unchanged. I may not be an angel but I have fought against corruption all my life in all its manifestations and will continue to do so," Wandayi said before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments.

Wandayi was responding to a question by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah on whether he will be able to 'bite the bullet', fight cartels and ensure Kenyans get cheaper energy.

On March 1, 2023, Wandayi announced that he would soon table a report on how some cartels are doing business with state firms and managers, milking Kenyans dry.

The ODM MP stated that he had a dossier detailing how deeply entrenched the cartels are and that they have captured the electricity sector,

He then said that the Kenya Kwanza government risked being captured by the cartels which the legislator said have for decades been blamed for high energy costs.

"The energy sector has been captured by cartels, they are transitioning from one regime to another," Wandayi said while making a contribution to the supplementary budget appropriations bill.

"They are lethal and dangerous, we must gather the courage to deal with them once and for all, if we are to deal with the high cost of energy," he added.

If approved by MPs, Wandayi will square off against these energy cartels.

On why he was the best candidate to serve as President William Ruto's Energy and Petroleum CS, Wandayi said he has been a member of the Public Investment Committee, Energy and Commercial which adds to his competencies to handle the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.

"Apart from being the leader of the minority, I have also been a member of the Public Investment Committee, Energy and Commercial," he said.

Wandayi also exuded confidence in his ability to handle the docket, citing his academic, professional, and parliamentary background as evidence of his necessary competencies.