The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has arrested Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General, Daniel Kiptoo.
Kiptoo was arrested alongside Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, and Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Managind Director Joe Sang.
The three were arrested on Thursday evening for grilling by DCI detectives from the Operations Support Unit over an alleged importation of substandard fuel.
EPRA Boss Kiptoo, Petroleum PS Liban Arrested Over Alleged Substandard Fuel
Substandard fuel is petroleum product (petrol or diesel) that fails to meet regulated quality standards, often intentionally adulterated with kerosene, solvents, or contaminants like water and dirt to increase profit margins.
It causes engine damage, clogging filters, poor performance, and high emissions.
DCI boss Mohamed Amid confirmed their arrests stating that officers were looking for dealers involved in the scheme.
The three spent Thursday night in custody and are being held at Gigiri Police Station.
The identity of the fourth individual arrested in connection with the saga is yet to be known.
Also Read: Fuel Crisis in Africa: How Top 10 Economies on the Continent are Coping with Middle East War
Kenya has 16 Days of Petrol, 19 Days of Diesel, in Stock
This comes a day after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi assured the country that fuel prices will remain unchanged for at least two months despite the impact of the Iran war on global oil prices.
Mbadi stated that the current stock levels stand at 16 days for petrol, 19 days for diesel, and 49 days for jet fuel and kerosene,
According to Ministry of Energy and Petroleum data cited by Mbadi, as at March 30, the country held 138,623 metric tons of super petrol, 207,841 metric tons of diesel, and 150,398 metric tons of jet fuel.
Expected deliveries for March and April include 290,000 metric tons of super (47 days’ cover), 182,900 metric tons of diesel for 20 days, and 60,000 metric tons of jet fuel for 25 days.
Import plans for May to July include 510,000 metric tons of super, 765,000 metric tons of diesel and 200,000 metric tons of jet fuel.
The government, says that about Ksh.17 billion currently held in the stabilization fund under the Petroleum Development Levy will be deployed to stabilise pump prices and partially shield consumers from sharp increases for the next three months.
The government is also considering altering the application of VAT on fuel, to a fixed amount per unit to keep the prices lower that would be.
Also Read: Govt to Consider Fuel VAT Review
Meanwhile, Petroleum and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi had earlier warned oil marketing companies against hoarding fuel as global prices remain unstable due to the Middle East conflict.
Wandayi said the government had “noted with concern, indeed grave concern” reports that some companies were withholding fuel stocks in anticipation of price changes.
He stressed that such behaviour breaches licensing rules and goes against the public interest.
