In a significant development, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested several senior government officials in Kenya, including Petroleum Principal Secretary Liban Mohamed, Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Managing Director Joe Sang, and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) CEO Daniel Kiptoo. The arrests, which occurred on a recent Thursday evening, are linked to an ongoing investigation into the alleged importation of substandard fuel into the country.

The DCI boss, Mohamed Amin, confirmed the arrests, stating that his officers were actively pursuing dealers implicated in the scheme. Principal Secretary Liban Mohamed underwent overnight questioning at the DCI Headquarters and was subsequently released on medical grounds. As of Friday afternoon following the arrests, both Daniel Kiptoo and Joe Sang remained under interrogation by detectives.

Further details emerged revealing the identity of a fourth individual arrested in connection with the scandal: Joseph Wafula Wepukhulu, the Deputy Director of Petroleum Economic Analysis. The officials were apprehended by detectives from the DCI’s Operations Support Unit and were briefly held at various police stations, including Gigiri, Lang'ata, and Capitol Hill.

Following the arrest of its substantive Managing Director, Joe Sang, the Board of Directors of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) moved swiftly to ensure continuity of operations. Pius Mwendwa, who previously served as the General Manager in charge of Finance, has been appointed as the Acting Managing Director of the state corporation. In a statement, the KPC Board acknowledged the ongoing reports and developments concerning Sang and others, indicating that they are closely monitoring the situation and are in communication with relevant institutions to understand the full scope and nature of the allegations.