The Board of Directors of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has appointed Pius Mwendwa as the Acting Managing Director, effective immediately. The appointment comes in the wake of significant legal developments involving the substantive Managing Director, Joe Sang, who was apprehended by authorities on Thursday evening.+1
Mr. Mwendwa, who previously served as the General Manager for Finance at the state corporation, steps into the leadership role as the organization navigates a burgeoning scandal within the energy sector. The KPC Board confirmed the transition in a statement released on April 3, emphasizing that the move is intended to maintain institutional stability and ensure the continuous flow of petroleum products across the national pipeline network.+1
“To ensure business continuity in the intervening period, Mr. Pius Mwendwa will discharge the duties of the office of the Managing Director,” the Board stated. Leadership further reassured stakeholders, shareholders, and the public that KPC’s technical and commercial operations remain stable and unaffected by the ongoing investigations.+1
The leadership change was triggered by the arrest of Joe Sang, alongside other high-ranking government officials, including Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban and Daniel Kiptoo, the Director General of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is currently probing allegations related to the irregular procurement and importation of a multi-billion-shilling consignment of substandard fuel.+1
Preliminary reports from the DCI indicate that the investigation centers on an oil shipment aboard the vessel MV Paloma, which was allegedly rerouted from its original destination and entered the Kenyan market despite failing to meet required quality standards. Detectives from the DCI’s Operations Support Unit are currently reviewing procurement processes and supply chain documentation to establish if official government channels were bypassed.
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The KPC Board, led by Chairperson Faith Bett-Boinett, noted that it is actively monitoring the situation and remains in close communication with relevant law enforcement and regulatory institutions to understand the full scope of the allegations. The Board has pledged to provide further guidance to the public as more information becomes available from the investigative agencies.+1
The transition to an acting head comes at a critical time for the Kenyan energy market, which has recently experienced localized fuel supply pressures in major cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa. Market analysts suggest that maintaining leadership at KPC is vital for stabilizing the supply chain and addressing public concerns regarding the quality of fuel at the pump.
Pius Mwendwa brings extensive institutional knowledge to the role, having served as a senior finance executive at KPC for over 15 years. His immediate mandate will be to oversee the corporation’s internal controls and ensure that the transportation of petroleum products continues without disruption while the legal process involving his predecessor unfolds.+1
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Joe Sang and his co-accused remain in custody at the DCI Headquarters as of Saturday, where they are being questioned regarding their roles in the fuel quality scandal. No formal charges have been entered into the court record at this time, though a preliminary arraignment is expected early next week.
