Kenya widening fuel scandal has drawn a prominent Mombasa based business family into the spotlight as investigators deepen their probe into irregular petroleum imports that have cost taxpayers billions of shillings.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are preparing to question businessman Mohamed Jaffer alongside his sons Mujtaba Mohamed Jaffer, Ali Abbas Jaffer and Mohamed Husein Jaffer over their alleged links to controversial fuel import deals. Authorities believe the family companies may have played a role in transactions now under scrutiny.
The investigation stems from the importation of about 60,000 metric tons of super petrol linked to firms including One Petroleum and Oryx Energies.
An additional 68,000 metric tons of fuel aboard the vessel MT Paloma has raised alarm after tests indicated it failed to meet required standards.
Billions lost as probe widens
According to officials, the fuel shipments were procured at prices ranging from USD 255 to USD 290 per metric ton, significantly above prevailing market rates. The discrepancy is estimated to have caused losses of between KSh 2.9 billion and KSh 4.8 billion.
Government sources confirmed the shipments were acquired outside the government to government fuel import framework, bypassing established procurement procedures.
The scandal has already led to high profile arrests. Former Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director Joe Sang and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority Director General Daniel Kiptoo were detained and later released on bond.
Investigators say waivers were issued allowing the importation of substandard fuel, raising concerns about regulatory oversight failures within the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has since halted further cargo deliveries linked to the deal and is overseeing ongoing investigations. President William Ruto has pledged decisive action, vowing to dismantle fuel cartels and restore accountability in the sector.
Records indicate the contract for the shipment was signed on 25 March 2026, yet the MT Paloma docked in Mombasa just two days later. Shipping data shows the cargo had been loaded earlier in February 2026 at the Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, prompting questions about how the procurement process unfolded.
Public anger continues to mount as Kenyans demand transparency and accountability from both government officials and private sector players implicated in the scandal.
