One Petroleum Responds After Government Bars Controversial Fuel Shipment

File image of fuel tankers at Mombasa Port

One Petroleum Limited has responded after the government barred its recent fuel shipment from entering the Kenyan market.

In a statement on Tuesday, April 7, the company explained its role in the supply process, detailing how it became part of the tendering arrangement.

“In March, One Petroleum Limited was one of four bidders that successfully responded to an emergency request issued by the Kenya Ministry of Energy and Petroleum,” the company said.

It also confirmed that it has complied with government instructions regarding the disputed cargo delivered on March 27, 2026.

“Following consultations with the Government, One Petroleum Limited confirms that it has forthwith taken steps to ensure that the petroleum cargo brought in on 27th March, 2026 via MT Paloma does not enter the Kenyan market,” the statement read.

Earlier on Tuesday, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi revealed that the firm imported 60,000 metric tonnes of super petrol outside the government-to-government (G-to-G) framework with the intention to sell it locally.

Wandayi said the consignment was bought at Ksh198,000 per metric tonne, Ksh58,000 higher than the G-to-G price of Ksh140,000 per metric tonne. He warned that the cost difference could push fuel prices higher at the pump.

“This consignment is priced at Ksh198,000 per metric tonne, compared to Ksh140,000 per metric tonne under the G-to-G arrangement, an increase of Ksh58,000 per metric tonne, which would result in an approximate rise of Ksh14 per litre in pump prices on this consignment alone,” he said.

The CS directed One Petroleum Ltd to immediately withdraw all invoices issued to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and raise credit notes. He also instructed the OMCs not to pay the invoices or uplift any fuel from the disputed consignment.

The company has been ordered to remove the overpriced fuel from the Kenyan market. Wandayi also issued directives to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

“One Petroleum Ltd is directed to exit its product from Kenya as soon as possible. EPRA is directed to subsequently exclude this product from the monthly computation of petroleum product costs,” he said.

Wandayi assured Kenyans that the government would remain vigilant to prevent any individual, company, or stakeholder from creating artificial shortages or unjustified price hikes.

He reiterated the state’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of fuel supply under the G-to-G framework and honouring contractual obligations, while assuring both local and international stakeholders of continued stability, transparency, and accountability in the petroleum sector.