Ruto Moves PS Kello Harsama to Petroleum Docket to Fill Vacancy Left by Liban's Resignation

President William Ruto has reshuffled Principal Secretaries in the latest changes within government, reassigning Kello Harsama to the State Department for Petroleum following the resignation of former Petroleum PS Mohamed Liban.

The changes, announced on Thursday, May 28, by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, saw Harsama moved from the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development to take over the sensitive petroleum docket with immediate effect.

In the same reshuffle, Caroline W. Karugu was appointed Acting Principal Secretary for the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development in addition to her current role as Principal Secretary for East African Community (EAC) Affairs.

Koskei said the changes were made in accordance with Article 155(4) of the Constitution to fill the vacancy created by Liban’s resignation.

“The changes are intended to fill the vacancy arising from the resignation of the immediate former Principal Secretary for the State Department for Petroleum,” the statement read.

Liban resigned in April after investigations were launched into an alleged fuel importation and supply chain scandal that rocked the energy sector.

The Petroleum State Department was among institutions linked to the controversial Ksh4 billion fuel consignment involving a 60,000-metric-tonne shipment reportedly diverted from Angola to the Port of Mombasa between March 27 and 29.

The scandal also implicated Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General Daniel Kiptoo and Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Managing Director Joe Sang.

The controversy piled pressure on Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, with critics questioning how such a large-scale operation could allegedly occur without senior ministry officials being aware.

Wandayi has remained silent publicly since the resignations and investigations intensified.

President Ruto recently vowed to take firm action against individuals implicated in the scandal regardless of their positions in the energy sector, signalling growing pressure within government to restore confidence in the petroleum industry.

Harsama now takes over one of the country’s most politically sensitive departments at a time when scrutiny over fuel importation, pricing, and supply management remains high.

The State Department for Petroleum oversees policy, regulation, and development of Kenya’s oil, gas, and fuel sectors, while the ASALs department handles drought management, food security, water projects, and development programmes in marginalised regions.