Leaders announce radical changes in Kenya’s scandal-laden energy sector

President William Ruto on Sunday issued a strong warning to cartels in Kenya’s oil industry, vowing they will face the full force of the law over alleged manipulation of the fuel supply system.

Speaking during a church service in Kilgoris, President Ruto declared that those behind recent irregularities would not escape accountability.

“Cartels in the oil industry will be dealt with accordingly. They will not get away with it because it cannot happen in our country,” Dr Ruto said.

He added that true to the promise he made in 2022, the government he leads is determined to tackle corruption head-on.

"Many thought I was joking, but today I want to assure you that we will not talk about corruption. We will do what needs to be done so corruption ends in this country.”

The President’s remarks come amid a major shake-up in the energy sector following the arrest of senior officials over the alleged importation of substandard fuel valued at Sh4 billion.

The scandal has triggered resignations and heightened concerns about transparency in fuel imports and possible manipulation of supply data.

In response, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has launched a comprehensive review of Petroleum Product Management Systems and Processes.

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the review aims to safeguard fuel quality and reinforce the integrity of the supply chain.

Wandayi noted that some cartels, profiteers and extortionists are attempting to exploit global disruptions, including the conflict in the Middle East, for personal gain at the public’s expense.

“We have taken note of recent developments within the petroleum sector, including the resignation by a number of senior officials in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and its agencies,” CS Wandayi said.

“The government wishes to assure the public that the situation is under control. When full information about the fuel shipment that is the subject of investigations emerged, we stopped the delivery of a second cargo under similar circumstances, thus protecting and securing public interest,” he added.

The CS, who previously served as Ugunja MP, assured Kenyans that the country has sufficient petroleum stocks to ensure uninterrupted supply.

He emphasized that the government-to-government (G-to-G) framework remains stable and continues to shield the country from immediate shocks.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has moved quickly to stabilise leadership. Following the resignation of Director General Daniel Kiptoo, the EPRA board appointed Eng Joseph Oketch as acting Director General.

EPRA Board Chairperson Adan Haji confirmed the transition, saying the board accepted Kiptoo’s resignation and thanked him for his dedicated service.

“Being cognisant of the crucial and strategic mandate of the Authority, the board has appointed Eng Joseph Oketch as the acting Director General,” Haji said.

Oketch, who heads EPRA’s Electricity and Renewable Energy Directorate, brings over two decades of experience in the energy sector.

He has served at EPRA for 10 years and previously held senior roles at Kenya Power and the Rural Electrification Authority.

The developments signal a broader push for radical reforms in Kenya’s scandal-laden energy sector.

Leaders have promised decisive action against corruption, including thorough investigations, strengthened oversight, and systemic changes to prevent future manipulation of fuel imports and supply data.

President Ruto, CS Wandayi and the EPRA board have all stressed that the focus is on restoring public confidence through accountability and improved governance, rather than mere leadership changes.