Three former Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) employees and a truck driver have been convicted for stealing 13,852 litres of petroleum products from the KPC Kisumu terminal, valued at Sh2.4 million. Reuben Andolo Aseneka, a former loading island operator; Joseph Mbugua Maina, a truck driver; and Mutai Micah, a former ICT employee, were found guilty on all six counts brought against them.
Kisumu Law Courts Chief Magistrate Hon. D.O. Onyango ruled that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence—including testimony from 18 witnesses and physical exhibits—to prove that the stolen fuel had been illegally loaded onto a truck. The three were charged with conspiring to steal 13,852 litres of motor spirit premium (MSP), valued at Sh2,431,178, which was in KPC’s custody on behalf of various oil marketers.
- Count 1: All three were convicted of conspiracy to commit a felony by conspiring to steal the MSP, which had been loaded onto a road tanker (Reg. No. KBJ 564D/ZD 1453).
- Count 2: The accused were convicted of theft of petroleum products.
- Count 3: Aseneka and Mutai were found guilty of illegally tampering with KPC’s fuel monitoring systems (Fuelfacs and Acculoads).
- Counts 4 & 5: Mutai and Aseneka were convicted of unauthorised access to KPC’s computer systems, specifically the Fuelfacs systems.
- Count 6: Mbugua was found guilty of illegal possession of petroleum products.
The prosecution team, led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Catherine Mwaniki, Patrick Okango, and Shitsama Ligami, argued that the accused’s actions amounted to economic sabotage, a serious offence under Kenyan law.
This case has been highlighted as an example of an effective prosecution-guided investigation, with the prosecution and investigation teams making multiple visits to the KPC terminal to understand the operational systems before initiating the case. The prosecution also successfully petitioned for a court visit to the scene during the trial. The magistrate ordered that the three convicts remain in custody until 18 February, when sentencing will be delivered.
