NAIROBI, Kenya — The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has raised the alarm over the circulation of adulterated and export-bound motor fuels in the local market after uncovering widespread regulatory violations at petroleum outlets across the country.
In a public notice issued Wednesday, EPRA revealed that it conducted 4,394 fuel quality tests at 967 petroleum sites nationwide between October and December 2025 as part of routine compliance inspections.
While the majority of outlets — 957 sites (98.97%) — met regulatory standards, ten sites (1.03%) were found in violation of fuel quality and handling regulations.
Nature of the violations
According to EPRA, the non-compliant operators were involved in a range of serious infractions, including:
- Selling diesel adulterated with domestic kerosene
- Offering export-designated diesel for local consumption
- Transporting adulterated or export-bound fuel using local distribution trucks
- Storing high-sulphur diesel suspected to have been smuggled into the country
Stations and operators cited
Among the outlets named:
- Meridian Fuels Filling Station in Ngata, Nakuru County, was found selling diesel mixed with domestic kerosene. The station has since been reopened after rectifying compliance issues and paying KSh 140,144 in taxes and penalties.
- In Taita Taveta County, a truck belonging to Mohamed Boat Services Limited was intercepted in Marungu while transporting high-sulphur diesel adulterated with kerosene. The vehicle was impounded, with the matter currently before the courts.
- Akabi Filling Station in Bukura, Kakamega County, was also cited for selling adulterated diesel and remains closed.
- Eden Energy Service Station in Wote, Makueni County, was caught selling diesel meant for export in the local market. The station resumed operations after paying KSh 132,780 in penalties and meeting regulatory requirements.
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- In Mombasa County, two trucks registered to Abdi Mohammed Technologies Limited were impounded in Likoni after being found ferrying export-bound diesel. The cases remain in court.
- EPRA further flagged multiple sites in Moyale, Marsabit County, where diesel stored in jerrycans at a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) yard exhibited dangerously high sulphur levels, raising suspicions of cross-border fuel smuggling. The consignment was seized and investigations are ongoing.
Regulatory enforcement and public appeal
EPRA said enforcement actions were taken under the Energy (Retail Facility Construction and Licensing) Regulations, 2013, reaffirming its commitment to continuous monitoring of petroleum products during sale, transportation, and storage.
The Authority urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of fuel adulteration or export dumping.
“Members of the public are requested to report suspected cases of petroleum fuels adulteration or export dumping through the EPRA hotline, USSD code *363#, or via SMS on 40850,” EPRA stated.
