EPRA closes 14 petrol stations in latest crackdown on adulterated fuel 

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has closed 14 petrol stations and fined three others for selling adulterated fuel.

In a notice on Monday, the authority indicated that the petrol stations had been flagged during a three-month crackdown that lasted between July and September 2024.

EPRA highlighted its ongoing efforts to monitor the quality of petroleum motor fuels available for sale, transport, and storage nationwide.

During the period July - September 2024, a total of 5,854 tests were conducted across 1,321 petroleum sites.

From the tests, 1,304 (98.71 per cent) of the sites were flagged for non-compliance

However, tests from 17 sites representing 1.29 per cent turned out to be non-compliant.

The closed petrol stations are located in various regions, including Kajiado, Nyeri, Kiambu, Makueni, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Kilifi, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Narok, Kisumu, Nandi, Meru, and Busia.

Eleven of these stations were specifically found selling super petrol containing high sulfur levels or diesel mixed with domestic kerosene.

Some stations have since reopened after addressing their violations. For instance, a station in Gathange, Kiambu, paid Sh115,990 in taxes and penalties, while another in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia, was allowed to resume operations after paying Sh152,306.

Both had been selling diesel intended for export. Additionally, a station in Kapenguria, West Pokot, was reopened after upgrading its product and paying Sh304,806 for selling super petrol contaminated with domestic kerosene.

Earlier this year, from January to March 2024, EPRA had already identified 15 petrol stations selling adulterated fuel, with locations in Machakos, Kakamega, Homa Bay, Kisumu, and Meru counties.