President William Ruto has pledged to undertake a decisive crackdown on cartels within the energy sector, warning that those responsible for the unfolding fuel importation scandal will face full accountability. Speaking during an Easter Sunday church service at Impopong Methodist Church in Kilgoris, Narok County, the Head of State characterized the alleged misconduct as economic sabotage and a betrayal of public trust.
The President’s remarks follow a tumultuous week in the energy sector marked by the sudden resignations and arrests of three high-ranking officials: Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Managing Director Joe Sang, and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General Daniel Kiptoo.
The trio was apprehended by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on April 2, 2026, following allegations that they manipulated in-country fuel stock data to create a false impression of an impending shortage. According to investigative briefs, this artificial panic was used to justify the emergency procurement of a fuel shipment outside the established Government-to-Government (G2G) framework.
“This is the administration that is going to deal firmly, decisively, and conclusively with all cartels,” President Ruto told the congregation. “We finished the cartels in the fertilizer sector, we finished the cartels in the sugar sector, and we finished the cartels in the coffee sector. We will now deal with the cartels in the oil sector.”
The scandal centers on a consignment aboard the vessel MV Paloma, which reportedly docked at the Port of Mombasa in late March. Preliminary findings suggest the shipment was procured at more than three times the contracted G2G rates and failed to meet national quality standards. Reports from KPC quality assurance managers indicated the fuel contained elevated sulfur levels, leading to internal disputes before the matter was escalated to the DCI.
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The Head of State linked the alleged scheme to attempts by private interests to exploit global market anxieties and Middle East tensions for personal gain. He reaffirmed that his administration would not negotiate with individuals involved in corrupt practices, noting that the G2G framework was specifically designed to shield Kenyans from such volatility.
“I said it from the beginning: in this country, we will not negotiate about corruption. People thought I was joking; others saw it as just a game,” the President added.
The government has moved swiftly to ensure business continuity, with the KPC Board appointing Pius Mwendwa as Acting Managing Director. Meanwhile, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei confirmed that administrative proceedings have also been initiated against several mid-level managers at KPC and the Ministry of Energy.
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Despite the leadership vacuum at the top of Kenya’s energy regulatory bodies, the Ministry of Energy has assured the public that current fuel stocks are stable, with sufficient petrol and diesel cover to last through the next pricing cycle.
The three former officials remain persons of interest in a broader criminal inquiry that authorities say could lead to charges of economic crimes and abuse of office. President Ruto concluded his address by assuring residents that the government would continue to protect national interests and ensure that the energy sector—the backbone of the economy—remains transparent and competitive.
