Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has stepped up criticism of the government over the ongoing fuel procurement controversy, warning that serious breaches in procedure may have exposed Kenyans to substandard fuel.
In a statement, the senator claimed the importation process appeared to have been manipulated to bypass the oversight of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
He cautioned that such actions could damage vehicles and pose environmental risks if fuel quality standards were not strictly followed.
At the centre of the issue is One Petroleum Limited, a firm alleged to have imported fuel before securing formal exemption approval. Ole Kina questioned how the company was allowed to proceed without meeting the required regulatory conditions.
He also raised concerns over the treatment of Oryx Energies, which had been contracted to supply fuel compliant with KEBS standards but was later dropped.
According to the senator, the company’s contract was cancelled at the last minute despite being expected to deliver within set timelines.
The differing treatment of the two firms has raised questions about fairness and transparency in the procurement process. Ole Kina suggested that while some suppliers were required to follow strict procedures, others appeared to operate outside established frameworks.
Fuel importation in Kenya is typically conducted under regulated systems supervised by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), with KEBS responsible for quality assurance.
The concerns raised point to possible gaps in coordination between the institutions involved.
The senator argued that the matter goes beyond a simple administrative lapse, saying the decisions made could have affected fuel standards, pricing, and public safety.
He called for the release of full details surrounding the transaction, including when approvals were granted, who authorised them, and the sequence of events leading to the importation.
His remarks come amid growing scrutiny of the fuel sector, where procurement processes have previously come under question. Lawmakers and industry stakeholders are now pushing for a detailed review of how the importation was handled.
Ole Kina insisted that the public deserves clear answers, urging authorities to avoid vague explanations and instead provide verifiable information on the decisions taken.
Investigations are expected to focus on whether procurement procedures were followed and if any officials acted outside the law