• Authorities investigate gaps between reported and actual fuel stock levels

• Suspected data manipulation may have created a false shortage signal

• Senior energy officials step down as arrests and searches unfold

Kenyan authorities have launched an investigation into irregularities in the country’s fuel stock levels, following discrepancies between reported volumes and actual quantities in storage facilities.

According to the presidency, cited by Reuters on April 4, inconsistencies were found in fuel inventory data, raising concerns about possible manipulation within the supply chain.

Officials say some stock records may have been altered to create the appearance of a fuel shortage in the market. In that context, an emergency fuel shipment was imported. Authorities suspect the move may have been designed to take advantage of rising global prices and public concern.

“It appears this was done to profit from global price increases and public anxiety, creating a false impression of an imminent shortage,” officials said, adding that the investigation will determine how the shipment was authorized.

The import took place even though existing supply agreements with international traders were still in force at the time, according to the government.

As the probe continues, several senior officials in Kenya’s energy sector have stepped down. Among them are Mohamed Liban, principal secretary for petroleum, and Joe Sang, managing director of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).

Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, head of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, has also left his position. Authorities say administrative measures have been taken against other officials, and arrests have been made, though those detained have not been publicly identified.

The investigation has also led to the blocking of a second fuel shipment at the port of Mombasa. Searches carried out as part of the probe reportedly resulted in the seizure of large amounts of cash.

The case has renewed attention on long-standing weaknesses in Kenya’s fuel supply system.

Data from the African Centre for Open Governance shows that the sector has faced major failures in the past. A report on the 2009 Triton Oil scandal found that 126.4 million liters of fuel were diverted from Kenya Pipeline Company facilities, resulting in losses estimated at 7.6 billion shillings, or about $50 million.

The report pointed to collusion between employees of the state-owned company and a private firm involved in the scheme.

More recently, in 2025, Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission secured convictions against four individuals in a case tied to an irregular public contract at KPC worth 550 million shillings, or about $3.5 million. The authority said the convictions were linked to procurement violations.

Abdel-Latif Boureima