Activist Francis Awino Injured by goons After Fuel Import Probe Press Briefing
Activist Francis Awino has been attacked by goons moments after leading a press briefing at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, calling for the suspension of Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui over the controversial importation of allegedly substandard petroleum fuel.
Awino, the convener of the Mtetezi Grassroots Initiative, had earlier addressed journalists on the movement’s demand that the two Cabinet Secretaries step aside pending investigations into the importation of about 68,000 tonnes of allegedly non-compliant fuel.
The press conference, which had initially been scheduled to take place at Chester House, was disrupted by a group of goons, forcing organizers to relocate. It was later successfully held at Milimani Law Courts, where the activists outlined their demands and issued a 48-hour ultimatum for resignation of the two Cabinet Secretaries.
According to the statement read on behalf of the movement, documents referenced correspondence between government offices concerning a regulatory waiver connected to the fuel cargo, raising questions about accountability at senior levels of government.
The group argued that while junior officers linked to the matter had already faced interrogation, arrest or administrative action, senior officials whose offices appeared in the approval chain had remained in office.
Speaking to the press, Awino criticized what he described as the alleged use of goons to disrupt the process, saying the group would shift from diplomacy to street protests in demanding the resignation of the Energy Cabinet Secretary.
“We were to take this petition to Parliament but now we will come to your office and you will have to resign,” Awino said.
The activists also called for the publication of all inter-ministerial correspondence related to the fuel cargo and disclosure of waiver approvals involving the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
Another activist, James Mulama, said the allegations raised serious concerns about public welfare and urged authorities to take legal action against those responsible for the incident.
“As a Kenyan citizen I am concerned. They must be charged with economic crimes because they have deliberately decided to jeopardize the welfare of all of us,” he said.
Awino sustained head injuries from the alleged goons who attacked journalists earlier after being hit by an unidentified object, this happened outside Nation Center along Kimathi street with witnesses claiming he was severely injured and left to die.
Owino got medical attention and reported the matter at central police station.
The incident has since raised concerns among civil society groups about the safety of activists speaking out on issues of public accountability.
