This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On July 18, 2019, the National Assembly's Energy Committee opened an inquiry into the frequent leakages, spillage, and siphoning of petroleum products along the Sh48 billion Mombasa-Nairobi oil pipeline.
The pipeline, which is less than a year old, has been plagued by issues, prompting the committee to take action.
According to sources, the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) had rejected an offer of Sh400 million ($4 million) from the contractor who built the 450-kilometre line, Zakhem International, to install an oil leak detection system.
Instead, KPC is reportedly seeking to procure a Sh2 billion ($20 million) oil leak detection system, which has raised eyebrows among lawmakers.
KPC acting Managing Director Hudson Andambi failed to disclose the amount of money needed to install the detection system but said a budgetary request has been made to the Treasury.
Andambi also revealed that seven people had been arrested in the Mlolongo incident where super petrol was siphoned from stations in Ruiru, Kibichoi, and Kiambu.
