Nairobi, Aug. 24 -- Before the arrest of senior State officials in the energy sector over contested fuel cargo, Kenyan authorities tried unsuccessfully to block a ship carrying 60, 000 tonnes of petrol from docking at the port of Mombasa.

The State alleged that the emergency shipment was overpriced, of substandard quality, and procured at rates significantly higher than those agreed under existing deals.

A confidential letter shows that the owners of MT Paloma, the ship carrying the fuel, arrived at the outer limits of the port of Mombasa on March 27 at 2:30am and requested clearance to enter the port's precincts.

It was denied entry as answers were sought from top officials on why they allowed importation of fuel outside the governmen...