Siaya County leaders have come out in defense of Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, dismissing calls for his resignation over corruption allegations linked to the ongoing fuel scandal.
Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode, alongside several members of the county assembly (MCAs), urged the public to respect the principle of innocence until proven guilty.
He noted that arrests had already been made in connection with the scandal following investigations by relevant agencies.
“The principle of innocence until proven guilty must be respected. Investigations are ongoing, and arrests have already been made. Calls for the CS’s resignation are premature,” Okode said during a press briefing at the county assembly premises.
Assembly Majority Leader Edwin Martin Otieno described Wandayi as a man of integrity, while MCAs Dorothy Oinga and Oliver Arika accused those demanding his resignation of pursuing a hidden political agenda.
Separately, officials of the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) Siaya branch also defended Wandayi.
George Spencer Wambiya said the county was proud of its son, citing a recent poll that ranked him among the best-performing cabinet secretaries.
“Those trying to link him to corruption are engaging in empty talk. No one will listen to them,” Wambiya said.
Washington Olunga, another MDG official, added that Wandayi’s record in the energy sector speaks for itself and urged Kenyans to allow investigative agencies to complete their work.
The fuel scandal has rocked the energy sector, leading to the resignation of several senior officials.
However, Siaya leaders insist Wandayi should not be judged before investigations are concluded.
