One Petroleum Limited announced it has taken immediate action to block a controversial consignment of Super Petrol from reaching Kenyan consumers. Following a direct order from the government, the company moved to halt the distribution of the fuel, which arrived in the country on March 27, 2026, aboard the tanker MT Paloma.
The firm confirmed its decision in a statement released on Tuesday evening, noting that it finalized the move after extensive consultations with regulatory authorities.
“Following consultations with the government, One Petroleum Limited confirms that it has forthwith taken steps to ensure that the petroleum cargo that was brought in on 27th March, 2026, via MT Paloma does not enter the Kenyan market,” the company stated.
One Petroleum Limited identified itself as one of four companies that answered an emergency call for supplies from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum in March. This procurement process has drawn intense scrutiny after the government labeled the resulting shipment as irregular.
The company released this update following a stern directive from Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, who ordered firms to pull the product from the market and cancel all associated invoices sent to oil marketers.
Ksh14 Per Litre Threat
In a previous statement, the Cabinet Secretary explained that the 60,000-metric-tonne shipment of Super Petrol arrived in contravention of the procedures set out under the G-to-G contractual framework with international suppliers. He warned that the unauthorized importation threatened the stability of the country’s entire fuel supply system.
The government highlighted a significant price disparity, noting that the controversial consignment costs considerably more than fuel sourced through the established Government-to-Government (G-to-G) framework.
“This consignment is priced at Ksh.198,000 per metric tonne, compared to Ksh.140,000 per metric tonne under the G-to-G arrangement, an increase of Ksh.58,000 per metric tonne, which would result in an approximate rise of Ksh.14 per litre in pump prices on this consignment alone,” the government reported.
To rectify the situation, the ministry ordered immediate corrective action. The authorities directed that One Petroleum Ltd, the company that imported the said product and invoiced Oil Marketing Companies, immediately withdraw all invoices issued and raise credit notes, while simultaneously mandating the removal of the product from the country.
Furthermore, CS Wandayi instructed oil marketing companies that they should neither pay the invoices nor uplift product from this consignment, and he ordered the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to exclude this shipment from all monthly fuel cost calculations.
Wandayi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the fuel supply chain, cautioning against any actions that threaten price stability or cause artificial shortages.
“The Government will remain vigilant to ensure that no individual, company, or stakeholder engages in artificial shortages or unjustified price increases,” the statement added.
