The Government has until the end of the month to pay for the 50 per cent stake, which multi-national oil companies intend to sell to enable them exit the Mombasa-based Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited.

The ultimatum by the oil dealers came as it emerged that delayed conclusion of the sale is causing a rift among top government officials.

The divisions have emerged from the fact that while Treasury has asked Libyan Oil Holdings Company to take up the 50 per cent stake, Ministry of Energy officials maintain that the stake will go to Essar Energy Overseas Limited of India.

The delay has been blamed on intervention by the Ministry of Finance, which is allegedly pushing for the Libyans to get a foothold in the company.