NAIROBI, Kenya
The government has assured Kenyans that there is no actual shortage of fuel in the country, amid concerns over irregular imports and allegations of market manipulation.
Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, emphasized that national fuel stocks are sufficient to meet demand and that the government has measures in place to safeguard supply.
The controversy centers on a shipment imported by One Petroleum Limited, reportedly outside the usual government-to-government procurement framework.
Investigations revealed that the fuel, imported on the MT Paloma, was procured at a significantly higher price than standard government contracts, potentially costing the exchequer billions of shillings in excess of ksh 14.
Questions have also been raised about the quality of the shipment and special waivers that may have bypassed standard regulatory checks.
Several senior officials in the energy sector have resigned amid allegations of irregularities.
Among those stepping down are the Principal Secretary for Petroleum, the Director General of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Managing Director of the Kenya Pipeline Company.
Investigators allege that some officials may have falsified national fuel stock data to justify emergency imports that disproportionately benefited private interests.
Despite public concern and sporadic local shortages at some petrol stations, Wandayi reiterated that fuel is available and that any perception of scarcity is not reflective of actual supply levels.
He warned that companies and individuals found hoarding fuel to artificially inflate prices will face strict sanctions.
The economic impact of the irregular imports and perceived shortages is already being felt.
Overpriced fuel shipments have cost the government billions of shillings, while market confidence has been shaken.
The scandal has also triggered a review of procurement procedures and regulatory oversight, highlighting vulnerabilities in the energy sector.
The government maintains that the current fuel supply chain is stable and resilient, and efforts are ongoing to ensure that dealers do not exploit the system for personal gain.
Authorities are investigating irregular imports, falsified stock reports, and any manipulation of the market to inflate fuel prices, signaling that Kenya will act decisively against hoarding and profiteering.
