Kenya’s government acknowledged the deportation of the French CEO of one of the country’s largest oil marketers amid a fuel shortage issue.

Jean-Christian Bergeron, CEO of Rubis Energy Kenya, was the first individual sanctioned since Kenya’s energy regulator announced it will take action against oil marketers for allegedly creating an artificial gasoline shortage in the country.

Mr. Bergeron has yet to respond.

According to the Energy Ministry, Kenya has sufficient petroleum products on hand, and the scarcity is due to some oil marketers stockpiling and prioritizing shipments to neighboring nations. This, it stated, amounted to economic sabotage.

“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 it had paid $295 million (£225 million) to oil marketers and will pay the remaining $121 million later today.

Kenya has been experiencing nationwide fuel shortages for the previous two weeks, crippling transportation and economic activity.

According to the authorities, normalcy should be restored within 72 hours.

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