Govt explains how energy bosses faked a shortage to procure emergency fuel
By Cynthia Lodite, April 4, 2026The government has revealed how energy bosses responsible for administering the petroleum supply chain manipulated data on in-country fuel stocks to exploit rising global fuel prices.
In a statement shared by State House Spokesman Hussein Mohamed on Saturday, April 4, 2026, the statement explained the effects of the misrepresentation by the energy bosses.
G2G inception
The government has explained the measures it took to enhance the nation’s energy security by entering into a government-to-government (G2G) fuel supply agreement in 2023.
Hence, the framework was introduced as a strategic state intervention following recurrent petroleum product shortages experienced in 2022, characterised by long queues at filling stations and unsafe fuel handling practices.
According to the government at the time, the sovereign-backed arrangement was designed to stabilise fuel supply and cushion the market against global volatility, as well as mitigate the foreign exchange constraints experienced in 2022 and 2023.
Fuel supply arrangement
Meanwhile, the government has explained that since the inception of the G2G fuel supply arrangement, fuel availability in Kenya and across the region has remained relatively stable, contributing to consistent pump prices and easing the fiscal burden previously associated with subsidies and stabilisation under the Petroleum Development Levy.
The government further explained that in affirmation of the supply safeguards, Kenya has continued to receive uninterrupted fuel supplies despite evolving geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the resulting global disruptions.
The continued performance of contracted suppliers underscores the fact that Aramco Trading Fujairah, ADNOC Global Trading Ltd, and Emirates National Oil Company Singapore Pte Limited, none of whom, according to the government, have declared an inability to meet their contractual obligations.
Irregular supply chain
Meanwhile, notwithstanding the stable supply position, Ruto explained that the energy officials responsible for administering the petroleum supply chain may have manipulated data on in-country fuel stocks.
According to the president, the manipulation appears to have been done to exploit rising global prices and public anxiety, thereby creating a false impression of an impending supply shortfall.
“His Excellency the President notes with grave concern that primary duty bearers responsible for administering the petroleum supply chain may have manipulated data on in-country fuel stocks. This appears to have been done to exploit rising global prices and public anxiety, thereby creating a false impression of an impending supply shortfall,” the statement read in part.
The misrepresentation is reported to have led to the irregular procurement of an emergency fuel cargo by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
“The principal actors include the Principal Secretary for Petroleum, the Director General of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Managing Director of the Kenya Pipeline Company,” read the statement.
According to the government, the shipment in question was procured in blatant breach of the G2G framework, at a price significantly above the contracted rates, in complete disregard of established emergency procurement procedures, and was of substandard quality.
“SUCH FALSIFICATION of information and misrepresentation by primary duty bearers within the petroleum supply chain constitute serious breaches of public trust and may amount to economic crimes under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (Chapter 65, Laws of Kenya) and the Penal Code (Chapter 63, Laws of Kenya),” read the statement.
The govt has further confirmed that in view of the critical role of petroleum products as the backbone of the economy, and in recognition of the compelling public interest, the matter has been escalated to the relevant investigative agencies for a full and comprehensive inquiry.
“All governance actors within the sector are required to provide full access to relevant information to facilitate these investigations. Consequently, on Thursday, 2nd April, 2026, the investigative agencies effected arrests of the principal officeholders,” read the statement in part