The Senate has escalated its investigation into a controversial fuel importation saga, widening the net to include directors of One Petroleum, former senior government officials, and key regulatory agencies over concerns that substandard petroleum products may have entered the Kenyan market.
At the centre of the inquiry is a shipment delivered by the oil tanker MT Paloma, which docked at the port of Mombasa in late March carrying more than 60,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Records presented before the Senate indicate that the vessel was received by the Kenya Ports Authority on March 27 at the outer port limits before being piloted to Kipevu Oil Terminal II, where it berthed and began discharging its cargo.
The offloading process was completed on March 30, after which the vessel cleared port formalities and departed.
However, KPA distanced itself from the handling of the fuel beyond docking, stating that responsibility for discharge operations and subsequent handling lies with the Kenya Pipeline Company and other agencies within the petroleum supply chain.
The Senate committee is now focusing on how the fuel was cleared into the system, with lawmakers raising concerns over possible regulatory lapses and undue influence.
Nominated Senator Veronica Maina questioned how potentially substandard fuel could pass through the country’s infrastructure, warning that Kenya must strengthen safeguards to prevent harmful products from reaching consumers.
She also sought clarity on claims that fuel quality standards may have been waived at senior levels.
Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana called for the establishment of an independent petroleum testing laboratory to enhance transparency and verification of imported fuel, saying reliance on shipping documents alone is insufficient.
The probe has also drawn in former Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban and individuals linked to One Petroleum, signalling a shift toward examining high-level decision-making and possible collusion within the sector.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Pipeline Company has sought to reassure the public over supply stability.
Its General Manager, Moses Taiwu, told the committee that additional fuel shipments are expected in the coming days and that the country faces no immediate risk of shortages.
Despite these assurances, senators maintained that the integrity of the fuel supply chain remains a critical concern.
The inquiry is now moving beyond port operations to scrutinise the roles of importers, regulators, and government officials in ensuring fuel quality and compliance.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to have far-reaching implications for oversight in the energy sector, as lawmakers push for accountability and reforms to safeguard consumers and restore confidence in Kenya’s petroleum supply system.
READ ALSO;
Six People Arrested As Police Disperse Protesters In Nairobi