Three senior figures in Kenya’s energy sector have left office as investigations intensify into a disputed fuel importation arrangement that has raised serious concerns over quality and cost.
President William Ruto, through a letter issued by Chief of Staff Felix Koskei on April 4, 2026, confirmed that Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, Joe Sang, and Mohamed Liban are no longer in their positions. The update was communicated through a letter issued by Chief of Staff Felix Koskei on April 4, 2026.
“The President has received the resignation of Mr Mohamed Liban as Petroleum Principal Secretary, alongside the exit of Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director Joe Sang and EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, following decisions by their respective boards,” the letter read in part.
Their departure comes against the backdrop of a growing investigation into how a fuel consignment entered the Kenyan market under questionable circumstances.
Alongside the resignations, authorities have moved to take internal action against other officers. The State Department for Petroleum and Kenya Pipeline Company have both begun disciplinary proceedings involving Deputy Director Joseph Wafula and Supply and Logistics Manager Joel Mburu.
“Meanwhile, the State Department for Petroleum and Kenya Pipeline Company have initiated disciplinary processes against Deputy Director Joseph Wafula and Supply and Logistics Manager Joel Mburu as part of ongoing administrative action.”
The case gained attention after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrested four senior officials suspected of playing a role in the importation and circulation of fuel that did not meet required standards.
According to investigators, the shipment aboard MV Paloma was initially bound for Angola but was redirected to the Port of Mombasa before being released into the local distribution network.
Preliminary reports suggest the fuel, believed to have come from Saudi Aramco, may have been inflated in price by over Sh4 billion. It is also said to have fallen short of Kenya’s quality requirements, raising fears over both economic losses and consumer safety.
