By John Ikani
The Kenyan government has confirmed the deportation of the French chief executive of one of the biggest oil marketers in Kenya amid a fuel shortage crisis.
Rubis Energy Kenya CEO Jean-Christian Bergeron was the first person to be sanctioned since Kenya’s energy regulator said it would act against oil marketers creating what it says is an artificial shortage of fuel in the country.
Mr Bergeron has not yet commented.
According to the Energy Ministry, Kenya has sufficient stocks of petroleum products and the scarcity is a result of some oil markerters hoarding and prioritising exports to neighbouring countries. This amounts to economic sabotage, it said.
“The government will not tolerate any entity or person that is causing distress by creating an artificial problem. Any entity that is not ready or willing to work within the framework of the laws of Kenya is invited to vacate this market promptly,” said Energy Minister Monica Juma.
The government said $295m (£225m) owed to oil marketers had been paid, while the remaining $121m would be paid later today.
Kenya has experienced countrywide fuel shortages over the last two weeks that have paralysed transport and economic activities.
The government says it expects normality to be restored within 72 hours.
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