Rubis Energy Managing Director CEO Jean-Christian Bergeron was on Wednesday deported on accusation of economic sabotage due to the ongoing crisis facing the petroleum sector.

Energy CS Monica Juma proposed more sanctions against oil marketing companies (OMCs) that played a part in creating the fuel shortage experienced in Kenya for the past week.

Juma proposed that drastic action be taken against all complicit oil marketers during a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi on Wednesday.

Jean-Christian Bergeron. PHOTO/COURTESY

This comes a day after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) revealed that some oil marketing firms were selling fuel meant for the local market to other countries.

Read More

  1. Kenyans breathe a sigh of relief as MPs block controversial energy levy increase
  2. Fuel prices remain steady as EPRA reports mixed trends in landing costs
  3. Reprieve as EPRA announces significant drop in fuel pump prices in latest review

Four OMCs, according to the sanctions issued, will also face the wrath of the government including having the amount of petroleum products they import into Kenya reduced.

Jean-Christian Bergeron, Andrew Kamau and Martin Kimani. PHOTO/COURTESY 

The government is further planning to enhance the capacity of National Oil Corporation to ensure such a fuel crisis does not arise in future and be more involved in its retail segment.

This comes as most Kenyans motorists have been unable to access fuel, with the few petrol stations selling the commodity experiencing long queues spilling over into major highways.

Fuel queues at Shell petrol station at Windsor, Nairobi. PHOTO/FILE 

EPRA early this week revealed that some oil marketers were selling their petroleum products in other nations to fetch higher profit margins as fuel sells at higher costs there.

The regulator also accused other oil marketers of hoarding fuel in anticipation of a drastic increase in fuel prices in the monthly price review set to be announced on Thursday.