Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General Daniel Kiptoo, Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director Joe Sang, and Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban have resigned following allegations linked to a controversial fuel importation deal, President William Ruto announced on Saturday.
The resignations come just hours after the officials were implicated in irregularities surrounding fuel procurement contracts. President Ruto confirmed that the three top energy sector leaders stepped down to allow investigations to proceed without interference.
Mohamed Liban, serving as the Petroleum Principal Secretary, has been at the center of scrutiny due to decisions impacting national fuel supplies. His resignation marks a significant shake-up in the government’s energy leadership during a sensitive period.
Daniel Kiptoo, EPRA Director General, also resigned amid pressure from both the government and the public. His departure comes as authorities continue to probe alleged irregularities in licensing, regulatory approvals, and compliance within the petroleum sector.
Joe Sang, the Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director, stepped down following similar allegations related to pipeline management and procurement processes. His resignation signals a major leadership change within one of the country’s key state corporations.
President Ruto emphasized that the resignations should not be viewed as an admission of guilt but rather a measure to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence in ongoing investigations into the fuel importation deal.
The fuel importation controversy has stirred public debate, with Kenyans expressing concern over potential mismanagement in the energy sector. Analysts say the leadership resignations could either restore trust or highlight systemic governance issues in state institutions.
Government sources indicated that interim leadership will be appointed to manage the daily operations of EPRA, KPC, and the Petroleum Ministry. This is intended to prevent disruptions in energy supply and maintain regulatory oversight during the transitional period.
Further updates are expected as investigations continue. Authorities have promised swift action and full disclosure of findings, while stakeholders in the petroleum industry closely monitor developments that could impact fuel pricing, availability, and overall energy sector governance in Kenya.