By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, April 5, 2026 - The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has launched a review of Petroleum Product Management Systems and Process, days after government officials were arrested for allegedly importing substandard fuel in the country.
In a statement on Sunday, March 5, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi assured that the move is aimed at safeguarding the quality of fuel and reinforcing the integrity of the supply chain.
According to the CS, some cartels, profiteers, and extortionists are attempting to take advantage of the conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted the energy supply chain globally, for personal gain at the expense of the public.
The CS has assured that the ministry will work closely with the relevant security agencies to probe the incident and ensure that action is taken against all those involved in the irregular fuel importation scandal.
“We have taken note of recent developments within the petroleum sector, including the resignation by a number of senior officials in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and its agencies,” Wandayi said.
“The government wishes to assure the public that the situation is under control. When full information about the fuel shipment that is the subject of investigations emerged, we stopped the delivery of a second cargo under similar circumstances, thus protecting and securing public interest,” he added.
Earlier this week, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrested energy sector officials over their alleged involvement in the importation of substandard fuel valued at Ksh4 billion.
Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director Joe Sang, Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, Deputy Director of Petroleum Joseph Wafula, and the Energy and Petroleum Regulations Authority (EPRA) Director General Daniel Kiptoo.
The four have since resigned from their respective positions pending investigations.
Speaking during a church Service on Sunday, April 5, President William Ruto said that the government will take action against other individuals involved in the scandal, regardless of their position in government.
"In 2022, we talked about ending corruption, and many did not believe it. They thought it was a bluff," Ruto said.
He added, "I want to say here today, we will not talk about corruption. We will do what needs to be done so corruption ends in this country. People thought it was a bluff.”
On the other hand, the CS has said that the country has sufficient stocks of petroleum to ensure the uninterrupted flow of petroleum products.
The G-to-G framework, which Kenya uses to procure fuel, remains stable and is shielding the country from immediate shocks arising from the situation in the Gulf, according to Wandayi.
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