The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has taken strong action to ensure compliance within the fuel industry, closing six fuel stations and penalizing others for selling adulterated or export-bound fuels in the local market. This move follows a series of tests conducted by the regulatory body between October and December 2024, which flagged a number of non-compliant petroleum sites across the country.
EPRA reported that a total of 5,970 tests were conducted across 1,295 petroleum sites during this period. Of these, 1,284 sites (99.15%) were found to be in compliance with the required standards, while 11 sites (0.85%) were found to be selling substandard products. The non-compliance included selling diesel with high sulfur content, offering diesel meant for export, and selling Super Petrol adulterated with kerosene. In some cases, diesel was also found to be contaminated with domestic kerosene, which compromises fuel quality and engine performance.
As a result of these violations, EPRA has taken decisive steps to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of the local fuel market. Six stations were immediately shut down, while four others were slapped with fines for their non-compliance. One case is still pending in court. This action is part of EPRA’s ongoing efforts to monitor and regulate petroleum products under Section 92 of the Petroleum Act 2019, which mandates the Authority to prevent fuel adulteration and the dumping of export-bound fuels into the domestic market.
EPRA has been ramping up its enforcement activities, with previous crackdowns in September 2024 leading to the closure of 14 petrol stations and fines for three others. During this period, 5,854 tests were conducted across 1,321 petroleum sites, with 17 sites (1.29%) failing to meet the required standards.
To further enhance its efforts, EPRA encourages members of the public to report any suspected cases of fuel adulteration or illegal dumping through its hotline (0709 366 000), as well as via the Authority’s USSD code (*363#) and SMS service code (40850). These measures are vital in maintaining fuel quality and ensuring that consumers are not exposed to harmful or substandard products that could cause engine damage or pose safety risks.
The crackdown is a clear indication that EPRA is committed to protecting consumers and upholding the integrity of the fuel industry in Kenya.
