KPC Appoints Pius Mwendwa as Acting MD After Joe Sang’s Arrest in Fuel Probe
The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has moved swiftly to stabilize its leadership after the arrest of Managing Director Joe Sang, appointing General Manager for Finance Pius Mwendwa as the acting Managing Director.
The decision was announced on Friday evening through an official statement signed by Board Chair Faith Boinett, who assured the public and stakeholders that the company’s operations remain normal and uninterrupted despite the unfolding investigations.
According to the statement, Mwendwa will temporarily take over the responsibilities of the Managing Director’s office to ensure smooth running of the state corporation as investigations continue.
The board emphasized that the appointment is aimed at protecting business continuity and maintaining confidence among shareholders, customers, and the wider public during this sensitive period.
The board further revealed that it is actively following the developments surrounding Sang’s arrest and is already engaging the relevant investigative agencies to fully understand the nature of the allegations facing him and other officials.
While the company did not go into the finer details of the case, it stressed that it is cooperating with authorities as the matter unfolds.
Joe Sang’s arrest is linked to a wider investigation into the suspected importation and attempted release of substandard fuel into the Kenyan market.
The probe has widened across the energy sector and has already seen several senior government officials detained, among them Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban and EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo.
The arrests have raised fresh concerns about the integrity of Kenya’s fuel supply chain and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms in the sector.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) carried out the arrests on Thursday evening in a coordinated operation targeting key officials linked to the government-to-government fuel supply arrangement.
After their arrest, the officials were reportedly taken to police stations within Nairobi before being moved for further questioning as detectives pieced together the suspected procurement irregularities.
Investigators are said to be focusing on how the questionable fuel found its way into the country, with special attention being given to procurement approvals, quality testing procedures, and possible collusion among officials in both regulatory and supply agencies.
The DCI is also expected to establish whether standard operating procedures were ignored or deliberately bypassed, and whether any officers abused their positions to facilitate the movement of contaminated petroleum products.
If culpability is established, possible charges may include abuse of office, negligence, and economic crimes.
The case has sparked widespread public concern, especially among motorists who have in recent days complained about poor fuel performance and suspected engine damage after refueling.
These complaints have intensified scrutiny on the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), with many Kenyans questioning whether the regulator failed in its duty to enforce quality standards and protect consumers from harmful fuel products.
So far, EPRA has not released an official statement addressing the allegations facing its Director General or explaining the steps being taken to reassure the public on fuel quality checks.
The silence has only added to the anxiety among consumers and industry players who are demanding transparency and quick action from the authorities.
The latest developments also come at a time when the country is facing growing concern over fuel availability and possible supply disruptions.
However, government officials have sought to calm the situation, maintaining that Kenya currently has sufficient reserves of petrol, diesel, and kerosene to meet demand.
They have also confirmed that additional shipments are already on schedule and expected to strengthen national stocks in the coming days.
Speaking during an interview on Channel Africa on Friday, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura assured Kenyans that the country has already received this month’s shipment and that there is no immediate threat to supply.
He further sought to ease consumer fears by stating that fuel prices are expected to remain stable throughout April despite the ongoing investigations and global market uncertainties.
The appointment of Pius Mwendwa now places him at the center of one of the most sensitive periods in KPC’s recent history, as the corporation works to preserve public confidence while one of the country’s biggest fuel scandals continues to unfold.
How the investigations progress in the coming days could have far-reaching implications not only for those arrested, but also for the wider energy sector and consumer trust in Kenya’s petroleum supply systems.
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