NAIROBI, Kenya- The fallout from Kenya’s widening substandard fuel scandal has deepened after the government confirmed that Deputy Director of Petroleum Joseph Wafula is among state officers in trouble, following his arrest by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Wafula was apprehended alongside senior energy sector officials, including top executives who have since resigned, in a late-night crackdown linked to the importation of contaminated fuel that failed to meet Kenya’s quality standards.
The arrests form part of an ongoing probe into how the questionable consignment was cleared into the country’s supply chain.
In a statement, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei confirmed that Wafula now faces administrative action from the State Department for Petroleum, as the government moves to tighten accountability across the sector.
Koskei further revealed that the Kenya Pipeline Company is set to take disciplinary measures against Joel Mburu, the firm’s Supply and Logistics Manager, over his alleged role in the saga.
The pipeline company has been at the centre of investigations, given its critical role in fuel storage and distribution across the country.
The scandal, which has already seen the resignation of key figures including Energy Principal Secretary Mohammed Liban, Daniel Kiptoo of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and KPC Managing Director Joe Sang, has exposed significant gaps in oversight within Kenya’s petroleum supply chain.
Koskei said investigative agencies will continue with their inquiries to establish the full extent of responsibility, warning that those found culpable will face firm action.
“The relevant investigative agencies will continue with their inquiries to ensure full accountability,” he said.
“The government remains steadfast in safeguarding the public good and protecting national interests. Any act of economic sabotage will be fully investigated and met with firm and decisive action.”
The government is also moving to address systemic weaknesses that may have enabled the importation of substandard fuel.
Among immediate measures is the planned reversal of irregular shipment requisitions and their realignment with the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) fuel import framework, which has been used to stabilise supply and manage costs.
The G-to-G arrangement, introduced to cushion Kenya against global oil price volatility, has come under scrutiny as investigators seek to determine whether rogue private shipments bypassed established safeguards and compromised fuel quality.
The unfolding crisis has sparked concern among motorists and industry players, with reports of fuel quality issues raising fears of potential damage to engines and broader economic implications.
As investigations intensify, the government faces mounting pressure to restore confidence in regulatory institutions and ensure that strict quality control measures are enforced across the entire fuel supply chain.
