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EPRA orders closure of flooded petrol stations as heavy rains persist

A flooded Shell Petrol Station along Ring Road near Park Road Primary School, Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi, as pictured on April 21, 2024, following heavy rains the previous night. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

By Lucy Mumbi | 01 May 2024

Floodwaters or extended periods of heavy rain may damage underground storage tanks or cause the discharge of products to the surface.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has directed owners of retail petrol stations that have flooded due to the heavy rain to temporarily close and monitor them.

In a statement on Wednesday, the authority noted that floodwaters or extended periods of heavy rain may damage underground storage tanks (UST) or cause the discharge of products to the surface.

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“The presence of water in the UST affects the quality of petroleum products, which may lead to the breakdown of vehicles. Any retail petrol stations that have flooded should temporarily remain closed and monitored,” EPRA said.

It further asked the owners to take appropriate measures to mitigate any potential environmental impact of the flooding.

“The retail stations should assess the extent of the flooding, clean up any debris and ensure the quality of their products before resuming operations."

Based on the severity of the flooding, the stations were also directed to immediately communicate with relevant government authorities or regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with any protocols and regulations.

“The authority remains available to offer any necessary assistance to ensure the safety of the public and the quality of petroleum products,” EPRA said.

Kenya Meteorological Department Director-General David Gikungu warned of exceptionally heavy rainfall this Thursday and Friday.

“We are expecting that rainfall will continue throughout the entire month of May but at varying degrees depending on where you are,” he said in an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday.

Parts expected to receive heavy rainfall include western, the Lake Basin, some sections of the Rift Valley, including Narok, Nakuru, and West Pokot; Nairobi, central, eastern and north-eastern.

The coastal counties of Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale will be spared the rainy conditions this week.