Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested 41 suspects selling adulterated fuel in Nairobi County.
In a statement, DCI said the suspects were found trading in the illegal business at an undeveloped yard behind Shell petrol station off Lunga Road, Nairobi.
“The suspects have been escorted to custody pending arraignment on Monday, April 15, 2024,” the statement read in part.
DCI Crime Scene Investigators and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) officials found five tankers found with over 17,020 litres of diesel and 6,110 litres of petrol at the site.
Other Items Recovered by DCI Officers
The detectives also recovered four generators, 30 drums, siphoning pipes and jerrycans.
“Acting on intelligence, the Operation Support Unit team recently deployed to curb the unbecoming trend surrounding the site, rounding up the numbers who were trading with impunity,” DCI stated.
Two petroleum trailers registration numbers KDC 633J/ZG 5690 and KDB 548X/ZG 6131 both loaded with petroleum products were also found in the yard.
Besides, a KBQ 414A Nissan Sunny car loaded with 50 litres of petrol was also detained.
“Three other petroleum tankers registration numbers KAJ 450J Isuzu tanker, KAV 362M Mitsubishi tanker and KAQ 518U Mitsubishi FH Tanker were also found loaded with some amount of petroleum products suspected to have been siphoned from the trailers,” added DCI.
According to documents found in one of the trailers, the fuel was from the shell depot destined for New Gatitu Shell petrol station in Thika.
Fuels can be adulterated by mixing two or more fuel types to form a mixture.
Adulterated fuel has serious consequences such as pollution of the environment when burnt in the open, as well as its effect on the engines.
Also Read: Breakthrough for DCI as Suspect in Kilimani Gives Up Accomplices in Serial Robberies
EPRA Lists 15 Petrol Stations Selling Adulterated Fuel
In March, EPRA issued a notice to motorists regarding 15 petrol stations in different parts of the country selling adulterated fuel.
A test conducted by EPRA between January and March 2024 revealed that the said stations were selling the illegal fuel products to customers.
“During the period January – March 2024, a total of 6,284 tests were conducted at 1,395 petroleum sites. From the tests, 1,380 (98.92%) of the sites were found to be compliant. However, tests from fifteen, 15 (1.08%) sites turned out to be non-compliant,” EPRA said.
According to the Authority, the affected stations are in the following counties: Machakos, Trans Nzoia, Kisumu, Kajiado, Bungoma, Murang’a, Murang’a, Embu, Nyandarua and Kitui among others.
Also Read: Kenyans to Pay More for Fuel as Govt Raises EPRA Levy
The flagged stations included TDN Filling Station in Kyuso and Rukigi Filling Station in Kitui, Jumbostar Immah Energy Filling Station in Murang’a, Nyalic Energy Filling Station in Embu, Marhaba Filling Station in Wajir and Patveron Filling Station in Machakos.
Others are Emmary Filling Station in Kajiado, Starways Filling Station in Trans Nzoia, Fourems Filling Station in Kisumu, By-Faith Filling Station in Bungoma, and Jumbo Immah Filling Station in Murang’a.
The Authority also flagged Sheen Filling Station, Archers Post, in Samburu, Maixsoil Filling Station in Nyandarua, Petmak Service Station in Machackos and Masawa Fuel Max Filling Station in Machakos.
