Kenya Pipeline Company manager Pius Mwenda said the firm allowed fuel with high Sulphur levels following Minister Lee Kinyanjui's directive. This occurred on March 27, 2026, and was confirmed yesterday before the Energy Committee. The fuel was blended with other stocks to reduce risks.
Pius Mwenda, General Manager of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), testified yesterday before the Energy Committee, stating there have been only two instances of substandard fuel permitted in the country.
One was in 2019, when 108,203 tons on MT Ocean Tiara were rejected for poor quality. Most recently, on March 27, 2026, 60,000 tons on MT Paloma were tested and rejected due to high levels of Sulphur and Manganese.
"We received that consignment on March 27, 2026 and after testing the fuel we found it had high Sulphur levels. However, we followed Minister Kinyanjui's order and permitted the fuel as per his instructions," Mwenda said.
A March 28 letter from Minister Kinyanjui to Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi directed blending the fuel with other stocks to dilute the mineral levels. It also instructed KPC and EPRA to control distribution until a new shipment arrived on April 3 or 4. Mwenda noted the owner was told to remove the product from KPC's system.
