Nairobi, Jan. 3 -- The Petroleum Ministry is on the spot for failing to recover Sh2.3 billion in fines, penalties and levies due from oil exploration companies in outstanding training levies and service fees.

The bulk of the money, Sh1.96 billion, which has been accumulating over the years, has remained unpaid by oil exploration companies since 2011.

The Exploration and Production Act provides for the establishment of the Petroleum Training Levy Fund for training Kenyans on petroleum operations.

The law requires oil, gas and mining exploration companies to pay Petroleum Training Levy to help train Kenyans in a bid to plug a massive skills shortage in the extractive sector.

Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu says Sh1.9 billion is due from ...