Concerns have emerged over an alleged fuel supply scam in Busia County involving a prominent businessman with deep connections to the late Simeon Nyachae. The alleged fraudulent scheme reportedly costs the County Government and Assembly hundreds of millions of shillings annually.
Sources indicate that irregularities have persisted through successive administrations, beginning under former Governor Sospeter Ojaamong and continuing under the current tenure of Governor Paul Otuoma. The allegations involve inflated fuel prices, fraudulent billing practices, and the deliberate undersupply of fuel to county vehicles and tractors.
Reports suggest that the businessman, who previously worked for Nyachae’s business empire before establishing his enterprise, operates a petrol station near the Weighbridge area on the Busia-Kisumu and Busia-Malaba highways. The station is said to be a hub for the supply of overpriced fuel to county government fleets.
According to a senior Busia County official who requested anonymity, county vehicles—including tractors intended to serve local farmers at subsidized rates—have frequently run out of fuel due to insufficient supplies. A representative of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) in Busia, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that the businessman had outmanoeuvred a local competitor from the Breeze Petrol Stations chain to secure lucrative tenders. This competitor operates outlets across Busia County, including Malaba, Nambale, Bumala, Funyula, and Port Victoria.
When reached for comment, the businessman declined to speak, stating: “I don’t talk to reporters from any media house—local, national, or international. I don’t have time to discuss my business.”
The allegations, if substantiated, raise questions about procurement practices and oversight in Busia County. Residents and stakeholders are calling for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged fuel supply scam, urging county authorities to ensure accountability and transparency.
