Kenya Pipeline Company Next CEO Hiring/Firing: Uganda Must Give Consent

Kenya Pipeline Company(KPC) Next Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director must have the nod from Uganda National Oil Corporation(UNOC) before appointment is done.

Uganda has gained direct influence over the appointment of the next Kenya Pipeline Company Plc (KPC) managing director after the board formally opened recruitment for the position following the resignation of former chief executive Joe Sang, who stepped down weeks after the company listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

UNOC currently owns 20.15% of Kenya Pipeline Company against Kenya with 35% through the National Treasury, Local Institutional Investors 35%; and Retail, East African Community and Foreign Investors 9.85%. The Kenya Pipeline Company IPO  was oversubscribed by 105.7%, raised KSh 112.37 billion while 11.81 billion was total shares issues at KSh 9.00

The new arrangement stems from governance changes introduced during KPC’s initial public offering (IPO), which granted Uganda, through UNOC, veto powers over the appointment or removal of the managing director as part of a deal tied to its multibillion-shilling investment in the petroleum logistics firm.

The boardroom deal was negotiated after Uganda threatened to walk away from the recent IPO over concerns about lack of influence in the management of a company that handles a huge chunk of its fuel imports through Kenya’s pipeline and storage infrastructure linking the Port of Mombasa to inland depots piping the products to regional export markets.

Available data shows that during the past five years, Kenya Pipeline Company’s throughput grew by a Compound Average Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.07%, from 8.11 million M3  in 2020/201 to 9.88 million M3  in 2024/25, despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19 in 2019, and the emergence of alternative transport routes from Tanzania.

This surge is attributed to system capacity enhancement and operational efficiency that enabled the Company to meet the rising demand for petroleum products. Export throughput account for 52% of total throughput, with Uganda accounting for 66% of the transit market.

Kenya Pipeline Company Catalogue of Past CEOs

Established in 1973, Kenya Pipeline Company has had at least 15 CEOs/Managing Directors, earning the distinction of one of the state enterprises with the highest c-suite turnovers. Joe Sang, who resigned recently, previously served as Acting Managing Director between 2016-2018. Now acting as CEO After Sang resigned amid a fuel import scam, is Pius Mwendwa.

Many of the Kenya Pipeline CEOs who have been forced out have faced EACC/DCI investigations while others exit upon the entry of any new administration and political cycles that follow.

In an advert placed on the MyGovt Portal Kenya Pipeline Company Plc is seeking applications from suitable and highly qualified professionals to fill the position of Managing Director.

This position serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, accountable to the Board of Directors.

The office holder will be required to provide visionary leadership to ensure sustainable growth, operational excellence, and delivery of shareholder value for a high performing, commercially driven, and globally competitive energy infrastructure business.

Through their leadership, the successful candidate shall position the Company as Africa’s premier energy infrastructure and logistics partner.

KPC was listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange in March 2026. The Managing Director will therefore be instrumental in leading the Company through the post-listing phase, including navigating the heightened governance, disclosure, investor relations, and regulatory obligations.

Terms of the Kenya Pipeline Company contract

The successful candidate will be appointed on a three-year renewable contract, subject to satisfactory performance as assessed by the Board of Directors against mutually agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

 Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Operations: Provide overall strategic management, coordination, and leadership of the Company’s operations, human capital and resources to deliver sustainable value for shareholders and all stakeholders.
• Strategy & Execution: Lead the formulation, implementation, monitoring and review of corporate strategy, business plans, investment initiatives and strategic growth initiatives aligned to shareholders’ expectations and board decisions.
• Financial stewardship and commercial performance: Drive financial performance including revenue growth, cost optimization, profitability and capital efficiency for sustainable growth as well as ensuring timely and accurate reporting and disclosures, and safeguard company assets/resources. Provide leadership in capital allocation, investment appraisal, and financial risk management.
• Governance, Risk & Compliance: Ensure highest standards of corporate governance, enterprise risk management, internal control systems, regulatory compliance with all applicable legal, statutory, and Capital Markets requirements aligned to best practice for listed entities.
• Excellence & Innovation: Drive operational excellence, efficiency, innovation and digital transformation across the Company’s value chain.
• Stakeholder Management, Strategic Partnerships & External Relations: Act as the Company’s primary spokesperson, build and sustain strategic relationships and partnerships with shareholders, regulators, government, customers, partners to enhance the Company’s brand, reputation, and market positioning. Proactively manage investor relations and ensure compliance with NSE and CMA continuous disclosure obligations.
• People & Culture: Provide leadership in organizational culture, talent management, and change management to support transformation and growth.
• Sustainability: Champion ESG integration and corporate sustainability across all business operations and investment decisions in line with CMA guidelines.
• Regional Integration & Strategic Growth: Lead KPC’s regional energy infrastructure strategy and intergovernmental partnerships to strengthen the Company’s market position and drive long-term growth across Africa.
• Board Advisory and Reporting: Advise the Board and act as a critical link between Management and the Board, ensuring timely and accurate reporting on the Company’s financial performance, strategic execution, risk profile, regulatory standing, and operational matters.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• At least 15 years’ relevant experience, with a minimum of ten 10 years in senior management/ executive role in a large, complex, and commercially driven organization.
• Proven experience in strategy execution, financial management, and organizational leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in a listed company or highly regulated environment.
• A Master’s degree from a recognized institution.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Energy Management, Finance, Economics, Law, or a related field from a recognized institution.
• Membership in a relevant professional body in good standing.

All applications addressed to the Chairperson, Board of Directors Kenya Pipeline Company should be received not later than midnight East African Time 20th May, 2026.

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