Kenyan President William Ruto Appoints Kello Harsama as New Petroleum Principal Secretary
On Thursday, President William Samoei Ruto announced the reassignment of several Principal Secretaries, naming Mr. Kello Harsama as the new Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department of Petroleum. The appointment takes effect immediately and fills the vacancy left by the resignation of Liban Mohamed, who stepped down on 4 April 2024 amid allegations of fuel‑inventory manipulation.
The presidential statement cited Article 155(4) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to reassign Principal Secretaries to ensure continuity in government functions. The move is intended to stabilise the petroleum sector while investigations into the alleged scandal continue.
Who Is Kello Harsama?
Before his transfer to the petroleum docket, Harsama served as Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he oversaw the ASALs (Arid and Semi‑Arid Lands) and regional development portfolio. His career spans more than two decades in public administration, with a focus on infrastructure development, resource mobilisation, and inter‑governmental coordination.
Key aspects of his background include:
- Leadership of the ASALs development programme, which coordinated water, livestock, and renewable‑energy projects across 14 counties.
- Representation of Kenya at regional forums such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union’s Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations.
- A track record of delivering multi‑sectoral projects financed by development partners, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
These experiences equip him with the managerial and technical expertise required to oversee Kenya’s petroleum value chain, from upstream exploration to downstream distribution.
Context: The Resignation of Liban Mohamed and the Fuel‑Inventory Allegations
Liban Mohamed’s resignation came after a joint investigation by the Ethics and Anti‑Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) uncovered irregularities in the State Department of Petroleum’s fuel‑stock reporting. According to the preliminary findings:
- Officials allegedly inflated inventory figures to create an impression of imminent shortages.
- The manipulated data was used to justify emergency procurement of fuel that did not meet national quality standards.
- The scheme coincided with a period of rising global crude prices, suggesting a motive to profit from price volatility.
In addition to Mohamed, the Managing Director of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Daniel Kiptoo, and the Managing Director of Kenya Pipeline Company PLC, Joe Sang, also resigned on the same day. The President’s reassignment aims to restore public confidence and ensure that oversight mechanisms function without interference.
Implications for Kenya’s Petroleum Sector
Harsama’s appointment arrives at a critical juncture for Kenya’s energy landscape:
- Ongoing efforts to finalise the Lamu Port‑South Sudan‑Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor’s petroleum component, which includes a planned refinery and storage facilities.
- Implementation of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 2019, which seeks to attract investment while safeguarding environmental and community interests.
- Management of strategic fuel reserves to mitigate supply disruptions, a responsibility that gained prominence after the alleged inventory scandal.
Industry analysts note that Harsama’s experience in regional development could facilitate better coordination between national petroleum projects and county‑level infrastructure, particularly in underserved ASAL regions where energy access remains low.
Regional Energy Developments: Ghana’s Minister Visits Offshore Assets
While Kenya focuses on internal reforms, neighbouring Ghana continues to advance its offshore petroleum programme. On 12 April 2024, Ghana’s Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, visited the FPSO John Evans Atta Mills and the Noble Venturer drilling rig operating offshore in the Jubilee Field. The visit underscored Ghana’s commitment to:
- Ensuring safe and environmentally responsible operations at its flagship offshore facilities.
- Reviewing production optimisation strategies to sustain output amid fluctuating global oil prices.
- Strengthening partnership frameworks with international operators such as Noble Energy and Tullow Oil.
These regional developments illustrate the broader East‑African push to enhance petroleum governance, attract investment, and translate hydrocarbon resources into sustainable economic growth.
Conclusion
President Ruto’s appointment of Kello Harsama as Principal Secretary for Petroleum represents a decisive step toward restoring integrity and continuity in Kenya’s energy administration. Harsama’s proven record in public‑sector leadership, combined with his experience in regional development, positions him to navigate the sector’s current challenges while advancing long‑term strategic goals. As Kenya works to overcome the fallout from the recent fuel‑inventory scandal, stakeholders will be watching closely for transparent reforms, effective oversight, and tangible progress toward energy security.
