By David Ohito

The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Line 1 project did not increase significantly despite gobbling more than Sh8.1 billion to enhance its capacity

An audit report by university engineers hired to carry out a technical audit confirmed structural deficits in the project.

The lecturers now recommend that operations of KPC pipeline should be judged against renowned pipelines in the world.

The report confirms how shoddy work was allowed by the oil transporters despite escalated costs, which have failed to achieve the intended capacity.

The technical audit report by four mechanical engineers and two electrical colleagues on the controversial project pointed at its structural weaknesses.

Serious limitations

The audit carried out by experts from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and presented to Ministry of Energy says: "the Kipevu Oil Storage Facility has serious limitations."

Prof Mabel Imbuga presented it to the Ministry of Energy in May. It says, " the current throughput in Line 1 is 530,000 litres per hour with a peak of 693,000 litres per hour.

"The three 12 inch diameter pipes between Pumping Station 14, (Kipevu) and Pumping station 1 cannot allow pumping of products at a rate of 880 litres per hour."

It now means KPC will have to spend more money to address shortfalls at PS 14 constructing new 18 inch pipeline.

Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi on Monday said the pumping flow capacity had increased from 440,000 litres per hour to 520,000 litres after the President commissioned it.

Said Kiraitu: "the envisaged pumping capacity of 880,000 litres per hour is expected to be achieved after completion of the ongoing installation of three diesel booster pumps."

Cost analysis

The study was carried out by engineers Dr Karanja Kibicho, Dr Benson Kariuki, Dr Bernard Ikua, Mr Anthony Muchiri, Dr Keren Kaberere and Mr Philip Anangi who advised the KPC and Ministry of Energy to look at a complete cost analysis of the available options and settle for the economical one. The audit recommends a cut down on running costs, a proper system characteristic mapping to be done by KPC.

The project commissioned by President Kibaki in November last year, has ran into problems after audit queries were raised by the Public Procurement Oversight Authority.