Liban, Sang, Kiptoo's resignation does not absolve them in fuel probe, DCI says

DCI says resignation of Mohamed Liban, Joe Sang and Daniel Kiptoo as Petroleum PS, KPC and EPRA bosses, respectively, does not exonerate them from their charges, to face the law if found culpable. [File, Standard]

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has said the resignation of Mohamed Liban, Joe Sang and Daniel Kiptoo from their respective positions as Petroleum Principal Secretary, Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Managing Director and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General does not absolve them from criminal liability.

In a statement on Saturday, April 4, the DCI said those found culpable in the ongoing probe into the irregular procurement of an emergency fuel cargo will face the law.

“Resignation from office does not in any way exonerate or absolve the suspects and persons of interest from criminal culpability,” the agency said.

The officials tendered their resignations on Saturday morning following their arrest and detention over the oil importation saga.

According to Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the  arrests were made after President William Ruto noted that the primary duty bearers may have manipulated data on in-country fuel stocks.

“This appears to have been done to exploit rising global prices and public anxiety, thereby creating a false impression of an impending supply shortfall,” he said in a statement.

Koskei said the alleged misrepresentation led to the irregular procurement of an emergency fuel cargo by the Energy ministry involving Liban, Kiptoo and Sang.

“The shipment in question was procured in blatant breach of the G2G framework, at a price significantly above the contracted rates, in complete disregard of established emergency procurement procedures, and was of substandard quality,” he added.

Koskei called on all relevant actors within the energy sector to collaborate with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and other investigative agencies probing the matter.