Rubis has contradicted the government announcement of the deportation of its Kenya's Managing Director, Jean-Christian Bergeron.
In a statement released Thursday, February 14, Rubis denied reports by the government that Bergeron had been deported over alleged economic sabotage, arguing that he had travelled to the company's head office in France for regular meetings.
Rubis stated that the Managing Director was in Paris to provide an update on the company's operations amidst the prevailing fuel shortage in Kenya.
"We wish to clarify that the Group Managing Director, in consultation with the Rubies Energie Head Office, travelled to Paris to provide a full brief on the situation in Kenya," read part of the firm’s statement.
The company attributed the acute fuel shortage to increased demand that led to significant growth in sales and depletion of the existing stock, further dismissing claims of hoarding.
"The gap in the fuel supply has been triggered by various factors but one of the least publicized is a spike in local demand over the last 3 months (February to April) as evidenced by our daily retail sales," Rubis stated.
"The spike in sales in March is a clear indication there was an equivalent surge in product demand and no product has been withheld."
Rubis further indicated that it had increased its local supply to 88 per cent in March alone. In January, it had an allocation of 86 per cent to the local market.
Earlier on, Energy Cabinet Secretary, Amb Monica Juma, stated that the government would reduce the quota of oil marketers who sold less than their monthly volumes during the period the country was in a crisis.
CS Juma further noted that her Ministry in collaboration with those of Interior and Petroleum would ensure the fuel situation in the country is stabilised in the next 72 hours.
At the same time, fuel prices in the country hit a record high after Energy and Petroleum Regulatory (EPRA) announced a Ksh9.90 increase per litre of super petrol bringing it to Ksh144.62.
Diesel will retail at Ksh125.50 while Kerosene will retail at Ks113.44 per litre. Without the subsidy, the products would retail at Ksh173.70, Ksh165.74, and Ksh139.89 for super, diesel, and Kerosene respectively.
