Covid slashes Kenya Pipeline Company cash by Sh2.8bn

Covid-driven drop in fuel consumption has left Kenya Pipeline Company with at least Sh2.8 billion loss in revenues in the three months to June, breaking revenue climb tradition of the cash-rich State entity.

Travel restrictions and the countrywide curfew dampened petroleum sales and reduced use of pipelines to ferry the commodity in what the firm says has hit its top line by 40 per cent.

SUSPENDED LOADING

KPC managing director, Irungu Macharia, told senators yesterday that the firm had already suspended fuel loading in two of its key depots (Nakuru and Mombasa) to minimise chances of spreading the coronavirus as some of the measures that have driven the revenue slump.

“The effect of Cocid-19 led to about 40 per cent reduction in revenue. We are optimistic of total business recovery and growth as we restart the economy throughout the region,” Mr Macharia told the Senate Standing Committee on Energy

The company throughput revenue was, however, up 10 percent in the 2017/18 financial year to Sh27.7 billion with the average revenue per quarter ranging at about Sh7 billion.

This puts a 40 per cent drop at about Sh2.8 billion with the figure expected to go above Sh10 billion for the entire year should the Covid-19 economic pressure persist.

EMPLOYEES’ SAFETY

KPC, which made Sh8.5 billion net profit in 2018 has also cut down on staff numbers to reduce exposure to the virus in what may also impact the company’s productivity in the long-run.

“In efforts to safeguard employees’ safety, staff reporting to work were scaled down to 40 per cent and a fully equipped isolation unit designated at the KPC clinic,” Mr Ngugi told senators .

Data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority also shows that diesel consumption dropped by 62.3 million litres over the same period as buses, lorries and tractors which largely consume the fuel put a brake on journeys.