EPRA SHUTS DOWN PETROL STATIONS FOR SELLING ADULTERATED FUEL

A recent inspection by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has revealed a troubling pattern of fuel adulteration and illegal dumping of export-bound petroleum products in Kenya’s local market, with 17 fuel sites and trucks found in breach of regulations between April and June this year.
EPRA, which is tasked with monitoring the quality of fuel in the country under the Petroleum Act 2019, conducted nearly 6,000 tests at more than 1,300 retail sites. While the majority of fuel stations complied with required standards, the authority flagged 1.28 per cent of them for serious violations.
According to EPRA, the sites in question were either selling fuel contaminated with domestic kerosene, offering fuel containing high sulphur content, or distributing products designated strictly for export.
One illegal fuel outlet in Cheptiret, Uasin Gishu County, was found with diesel suspected to be smuggled and intended for export. The case is currently being handled in court. In the same region, Alakbary Energy Service Station on Uganda Road was caught selling diesel mixed with kerosene.
The facility was allowed to resume operations after paying Sh105,457 in taxes and penalties.