By Joshua Otieno | April 6, 2026
A coalition of non-governmental organisations and religious leaders has called for a comprehensive investigation into top officials at the Ministry of Energy following a controversial fuel import deal that has plunged the sector into crisis.
The demands come in the wake of the arrest and resignation of senior officials, including Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, and Joe Sang, who are under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The probe centers on allegations of manipulation of fuel stock data to create an artificial shortage, paving the way for the importation of substandard fuel.
“We cannot allow the energy sector to be a playground for cartels who manufacture artificial crises to justify overpriced, substandard imports.”
Investigators are focusing on the vessel MV Paloma, which reportedly delivered 68,000 metric tonnes of fuel into Mombasa after being rerouted. Laboratory tests indicated that the shipment contained dangerously high sulphur levels, breaching Kenyan fuel quality standards.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi confirmed that the irregular transaction resulted in an estimated loss of KSh 2.9 billion to taxpayers.
Despite government assurances that fuel supply remains stable, civil society groups are now pushing for the investigation to be expanded to include senior officials in both the Energy and Trade ministries. They are seeking accountability over the authorization of quality waivers that allowed the questionable fuel consignment into the country.
The calls add pressure on authorities to ensure transparency and restore public confidence in the management of the energy sector.
