Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) is on the spot again after jet fuel worth Ksh3.4 billion went missing from its facilities.
Oil marketers alleged KPC cannot account for 51.2 million litres of fuel.
Standard newspaper reported that the disappearance may have sparked a shortage last week that threatened operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
“The 51,266 cubic metres variance of our DPK/Jet stocks in the KPC system requires an explanation from KPC as we have already imported this stock, and discharged it into KPC system and the same confirmed by your records.
“Kindly, but urgently, clarify this to the oil industry as the current Jet A-1 crisis is unclear to us, as we have imported sufficient stock to service the Kenya Aviation requirements,” a letter addressed to the agency by nine oil firms read.
KPC expected the stocks to run out by Thursday last week and directed airlines to tanker fuel from other locations and reduce uptake from JKIA and Mombasa airports.
The agency also attempted to suppress daily limits by 30 per cent, but this was not sufficient to curb the shortage.
Sources within the KPC disclosed there is an ongoing audit on fuel stocks that would reconcile the numbers.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a representative from Kenya Airports Authority distanced the agency from the scandal explaining that all matters jet fuel were handled by the Kenya Pipeline Company.
Last year, the parastatal was embroiled in Ksh1.2 billion scandal where 11.2 million litres of fuel had gone missing.
The fuel had been lost under unclear circumstances through leakages and vandalism over a two-year period.
