KPA tells Senate it hands fuel discharge to KPC after berthing

A dispute over responsibility for contaminated fuel entering Kenya’s supply chain has escalated after the Kenya Ports Authority distanced itself from the Kenya Pipeline Company in the handling of cargo linked to MT Paloma, as senators intensify scrutiny into petroleum quality control systems.

Appearing before the Senate Energy Committee, KPA maintained that its mandate ends once a vessel is safely berthed at the terminal, insisting that all fuel discharge and handling operations are fully taken over by KPC after docking at Kipevu Oil Terminal II.

KPA managing director Captain William Ruto told lawmakers that MT Paloma followed all required procedures from arrival to berthing. He said the vessel reached the outer port limits on March 27 at 2.30am carrying 60,200.813 tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit declared by Sturrock Shipping (Kenya) Ltd.

“The pilot boarded the vessel at 17.50 hours [5.30pm] upon lodgment of the manifest, and the vessel was brought alongside KOT II at berth No 1 at 20.42 hours [8.42pm],” he said.

The authority told senators that once a tanker is secured at Kipevu Oil Terminal II, all cargo discharge operations are no longer under its control.

“Upon berthing of tanker vessels at KOT II, cargo discharge and all associated operations are undertaken by KPC,” Captain Ruto said.

“Accordingly, after berthing, KPA is not privy to subsequent actions by relevant government agencies,” the authority said, adding that the same procedure applied to MT Paloma.

KPA confirmed that discharge of the vessel was completed on March 30 at 12.12pm, after which port charges were settled and the ship later departed.

However, senators raised concern over gaps in fuel monitoring systems, questioning how contaminated petroleum products entered the supply chain. Lawmakers warned that weak oversight could expose consumers to unsafe fuel.

Nominated Senator Veronica Maina questioned the effectiveness of existing controls.

“We should stop substandard products from passing through the Kenya Pipeline system,” she said, asking what systems are in place to detect contaminated fuel.

She also raised concern over policy decisions that may allow substandard fuel into circulation, questioning why product standards could be relaxed.

Senator William Kisang sought clarity on fuel supply projections, asking KPA to explain expected cargo arrivals in the coming weeks compared to the same period last year.

KPA general manager Moses Taiwu assured the committee that there is no risk of shortages.

“We have sufficient oil cargo ships docking in Mombasa in the next 14 days, so we don’t expect fuel shortages,” he said.

Lawmakers also pushed for stronger verification systems. Senator Danson Mungatana proposed independent laboratory testing before fuel is cleared into the market.

“Instead of relying on manifests, can we have an efficient laboratory to verify quality?” he asked.

A day earlier, KPC acting managing director Pius Mwendwa told senators that the company maintains strict quality checks and does not accept substandard petroleum products into its system. He said any importer linked to contaminated cargo is responsible for its removal and all related costs.

He added that the cargo linked to MT Paloma was ordered out of the system, although the product remains within KPC facilities as discussions continue on enforcement.

KPA also defended its operational performance, reporting that 19 tanker vessels were handled between March 1 and April 12 carrying petrol, diesel, and jet fuel for both local use and transit.

Among them were MT Tortuga, MT Wisteria, MT Lyric Magnolia, MT Lunaria, and MT Constantinos, with shipments ranging from tens of thousands to over 100,000 tonnes.

The authority attributed improved efficiency to the Kipevu Oil Terminal II, commissioned in August 2022, which allows multiple vessels to be handled simultaneously, reducing delays and congestion.

“This addressed delays previously attributed to the authority. Tanker vessels now berth on arrival, subject to fulfilling prerequisites set by other government agencies,” Taiwu said.

KPA maintained that it has no role in petroleum licensing, supply management, or quality testing, saying those responsibilities lie with other agencies.