Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has named three key figures he claims are at the centre of a multi-billion shilling fuel scandal that has rocked Kenya’s energy sector.
In explosive remarks before the Senate Energy Committee, the senator linked Joel Mburu, Joseph Wafula, and tycoon Mohammed Jaffer to what he described as a “fuel cabal” behind an alleged Sh11.8 billion scheme involving the importation of substandard and overpriced petroleum products.
Allegations of a Manufactured Crisis
According to Ole Kina, the scandal goes beyond isolated misconduct, pointing instead to a coordinated effort to manipulate fuel supply data and manufacture an artificial shortage.
The alleged shortage, he said, was used to justify emergency procurement outside the government-to-government (G2G) fuel supply framework, effectively bypassing established safeguards.
“This timeline suggests premeditated planning and an orchestrated crisis,” Ole Kina told the committee, citing internal communications and documentation he claimed to have reviewed.
The Named Individuals
Ole Kina’s statement placed Mburu, a supply and logistics manager at the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), at the heart of fuel inventory data management—an influential role in determining national stock levels.
Wafula, the Deputy Director of Petroleum at the Ministry of Energy, was accused of playing a role in approving procurement processes linked to the emergency imports.
Meanwhile, Jaffer, a prominent Mombasa-based businessman associated with One Petroleum Limited, was identified as a key beneficiary, with his company allegedly positioned to supply fuel during the crisis.
Controversial Fuel Imports
At the centre of the scandal is a consignment of fuel imported outside the G2G framework at significantly higher prices than prevailing government rates.
The senator claimed the fuel was procured at a marked-up cost, potentially pushing pump prices higher for consumers had authorities not intervened.
Further controversy surrounds reports that the fuel failed to meet required quality standards, with concerns raised over elevated levels of harmful substances.
Arrests and Resignations
The scandal has already triggered a wave of high-profile arrests and resignations within the energy sector.
Several senior officials, including former Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, have stepped aside as investigations intensify.
Authorities are now pursuing additional suspects as the probe widens to include both public officials and private sector players.
Calls for Accountability
Ole Kina has called for swift and decisive action, urging authorities to move beyond administrative measures and pursue criminal prosecutions.
“Kenyans need to see real charges filed in court… not theatrics,” he said, emphasizing the need for accountability at all levels.
Government Response
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has defended his position, maintaining that due process must be followed and that investigations should be allowed to run their course.
The government has also indicated that the cost of the controversial fuel consignment will not be factored into current pump prices, in a bid to shield consumers from immediate impact.
Growing Public Concern
The revelations have sparked widespread concern over governance in the energy sector, with civil society groups and lawmakers demanding transparency in fuel procurement and pricing.
Analysts warn that if proven true, the allegations point to systemic weaknesses that could expose the country to repeated exploitation.
As investigations continue, attention now turns to whether the evidence presented will lead to prosecutions and structural reforms within the energy sector.
For many Kenyans, the outcome of the probe will serve as a critical test of the government’s commitment to tackling high-level corruption and protecting consumers from exploitation.
