The ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shipment of fuel cargo has resulted in the second shipment being prevented from docking at the Mombasa Port.
This is according to the Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, who has welcomed the investigation despite questions arising about his office amid resignation of top officials in the departments under his docket.
Speaking in Narok on Sunday, President William Ruto said that the government will continue to crack the whip on corrupt officials across all the sectors, including those who have manipulated the system in the oil sector for years.
“We have a problem related with the Middle East, and they are trying to bring another confusion here in Kenya. I must say for the record, this is the administration that is going to deal firmly, decisively and conclusively with all cartels,” President Ruto said.
The President said that his administration will deal with the cartels in the oil sector the way it has dealt with the same group in the coffee and tea sector since he assumed the power.
In a statement, the CS said that the government has been able to stop the delivery of a second cargo under similar circumstances, hence protecting and securing public interest.
“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,” CS Wandayi said.
The CS has further assured the country that the government is in control of the situation, calling for calm amid fears over the fuel shortage amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
“We further wish to reassure the public that there are sufficient stocks of petroleum products to meet current demand. We reiterate the government's commitment to ensuring an uninterrupted supply of quality petroleum products for both Kenya and regional markets.”
“The C-to-C fuel procurement framework, which has cushioned Kenyans against immediate shocks arising from the situation in the gulf remains stable and resilient.”
Mr Wandayi reiterated that his ministry has initiated a comprehensive internal review of petroleum products management systems and processes.
“This measure is aimed at reinforcing transparency, safeguarding quality, and ensuring the continued integrity of the supply chain. The Ministry continues to work closely with relevant agencies to maintain oversight and operational stability within the sector.”
According to the CS, “there will be no tolerance for cartels, profiteers, or extortionists seeking to exploit the uncertainty arising from the conflict in the Middle East for personal gain at the expense of the public.”
Oil crisis has led to the resignation of Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) Director-General Daniel Kiptoo, Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Managing Director Joe Sang and Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban.
The government said that the three officials resigned for trying to manipulate the system against the Government-to-Government oil import deal that the country entered with the aim of stabilizing the shilling by importing fuel on credit from Gulf companies.
