Kenya deports CEO over fuel debacle

The Kenyan Government has confirmed the deportation of the French boss of one of the biggest oil marketers in Kenya amid a fuel shortage crisis. BBC News reports that 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 termed an artificial shortage of fuel in the country. According to the Energy Ministry, Kenya has sufficient stocks of petroleum products and the scarcity is a result of some oil marketers hoarding and prioritising exports to neighbouring countries. ‘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 owed to oil marketers had been paid, while the remaining $121m would be paid this week.