By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, April 10, 2026 — A grassroots justice movement has escalated its push for accountability in the ongoing fuel waiver scandal after its National Convenor was violently attacked during a press briefing in Nairobi.
The Mtetezi Grassroots Economic Justice Movement has strongly condemned the assault on its National Convenor, activist Francis Awino, who was attacked by unidentified goons who disrupted a media briefing, assaulted journalists, and injured him before he was rushed to hospital. He has since been discharged.
The incident came shortly after Mtetezi intensified its calls for the resignation of Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui over alleged links to a controversial fuel waiver process linked to the importation of substandard fuel.
In response to the attack, the movement has filed a public interest petition in court seeking the immediate removal of the two Cabinet Secretaries from office.
Mtetezi argues that the officials’ offices are tied to the waiver chain that allegedly enabled the importation of substandard fuel. The group further points to ongoing investigations that have already led to arrests and resignations of junior officials, saying this reflects a broader breakdown in accountability.
The activists maintain that allowing the two officials to remain in office risks undermining public confidence in the integrity of the investigations and the overall accountability process.
In their petition, Mtetezi is also seeking the immediate suspension of both Cabinet Secretaries pending investigations, protection for whistleblowers and public interest petitioners, and accountability for those responsible for violence against Awino and members of the press.
The movement has condemned the attack as a dangerous escalation of what began as a governance dispute, warning that it now raises serious constitutional concerns touching on freedom of expression, public participation, and the safety of activists.
Mtetezi has vowed to continue pursuing accountability, insisting that any officials implicated in the scandal must step aside as investigations continue.
