Former Bunge la Mwananchi President Francis Awino Assaulted and Injured Amid Fuel Scandal Protest




Taifaleo digital 

Nairobi, April 7, 2026 

 Former Bunge la Mwananchi President Francis Awino was attacked and injured at the Nation Centre by suspected goons shortly after holding a press conference at Milimani, where he had publicly demanded the resignation of Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi over the contentious fuel procurement scandal rocking the country.
Eyewitnesses say the assailants struck Awino near the Nation Centre offices in Nairobi, leaving him bruised and shaken before bystanders and nearby security intervened. The attack has ignited outrage among civil society groups, activists, and opposition figures, who describe the incident as a brazen attempt to intimidate and silence dissenting voices at a time of heightened political tension.
Awino has been one of the most vocal critics of CS Wandayi, calling for him to step aside amid ongoing investigations into the alleged Ksh 2.9 billion substandard fuel importation scandal and other irregular fuel dealings that have sparked national debate. Critics argue the scandal — which has seen senior energy officials arrested and several resignations — reflects deeper governance failures in the management of Kenya’s petroleum sector. 
Civil rights organisations and opposition leaders have condemned the assault as an attack on democratic freedoms. “This is not just a physical assault on Awino — it’s an attack on every Kenyan who dares to hold public officials accountable,” said a spokesperson for one civil liberties group. Calls are mounting for thorough investigations into who organised the attack and for those responsible to be held to account.
 The assault comes amid a controversial fuel import scandal that has placed Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi under intense scrutiny. Government agencies are probing a fuel shipment imported outside the normal Government-to-Government (G‑to‑G) procurement framework, which critics say was overpriced and potentially substandard, prompting questions about regulatory oversight and accountability at the highest levels. 

Wandayi has insisted the situation is under control and urged Kenyans not to be swayed by what he calls disinformation, while investigators continue auditing fuel importation practices and reviewing procurement procedures. 
No Official Statement Yet from Police or CS Wandayi’s Office

At the time of reporting, neither CS Wandayi’s office nor the Kenya Police Service had issued an official statement regarding the attack on Awino. Law enforcement sources have neither confirmed suspects nor outlined immediate investigative steps, triggering further concern over the state’s response to political violence.

The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of activists and citizens who exercise their constitutional right to free speech and peaceful protest in Kenya’s evolving democratic landscape.

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