The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Board Chairperson, Faith Bett Boinett, is facing a legal challenge after the Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union (KPOWU) filed a petition at the High Court in Milimani seeking her removal from office over alleged conflict of interest.
The case raises fresh questions about corporate governance at one of Kenya's most strategic State corporations at a time when KPC is preparing for privatisation and a possible stock market listing.
According to court documents, the union claims Boinett is a shareholder and director of Fastnett Energy Limited, a private company that allegedly has transport and storage agreements with KPC. The petition states that the commercial relationship dates back to 2018 and that the agreements have been renewed on several occasions.
KPOWU argues that her continued association with the company creates a conflict between her private interests and her responsibilities as chairperson of KPC's board.
The union is asking the High Court to declare her appointment unconstitutional and to remove her from office.
Boinett was appointed by President William Ruto through Gazette Notice No. 18372 dated December 19, 2025.
According to the petition, the appointment breached constitutional principles on leadership, integrity and public service. The union says the appointment is inconsistent with Articles 10, 73, 75 and 232 of the Constitution, which set standards for good governance, accountability, ethical leadership and impartiality in public office.
The petition also cites the Conflict of Interest Act, the Companies Act and Mwongozo, the corporate governance code that guides the management of State corporations.
The union argues that public officials entrusted with overseeing State corporations should not hold private business interests that could influence, or appear to influence, decisions made by those institutions.
Beyond seeking Boinett's removal, the petition names several respondents connected to the matter.
They include Kenya Pipeline Company, Acting Managing Director Pius Mwendwa, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, the Attorney General, the Business Registration Service, the Capital Markets Authority and Fastnett Energy Limited.
Uganda's Attorney General has also been joined in the proceedings, suggesting that issues raised in the petition may have a regional dimension linked to petroleum transport or commercial arrangements.
The case comes at a sensitive time for Kenya Pipeline Company.
The State owned energy transporter has been identified as one of the corporations expected to move through the government's privatisation programme, with plans that could eventually see shares offered to investors through the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
That process places greater attention on the company's governance standards, board independence and compliance with conflict of interest laws. Investors typically examine governance practices closely before participating in public share offerings, making the outcome of the petition one that could attract interest beyond the energy sector.
The High Court is expected to determine whether the allegations raised by KPOWU amount to a conflict of interest under Kenyan law and whether Boinett's appointment meets the constitutional standards required of leaders serving in public institutions.
Faith Bett Boinett, Kenya Pipeline Company, Fastnett Energy Limited and the other respondents named in the petition will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations before the court reaches a determination.