Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA0 has flagged seven petrol stations selling export-bound motor fuels in the local market.
The stations whose locations have been identified have been labeled as non-compliant.
A public notice from EPRA dated December 30, 2022, shows that the stations were monitored during the period of October- December this year.
“….from the tests, 1033(99.33%) were found to be compliant while tests from 7 stations turned out to be non-compliant,” the notice reads.
One petrol station located in Kwale County, Kombani Junction was found selling super petrol adulterated with domestic kerosene.
“Super petrol dispensing pumps re-opened after upgrading the product and paying taxes and penalties amounting Sh70,000,” the notice continues to read.
In Tharaka Nithi, Gitongo location, the agency found that another petrol station was selling super petrol with high sulphur content.
“In Ngara, Nairobi a petrol station was offering for sale diesel adulterated with domestic kerosene and containing high sulphur content,” the notice reads.
In Kitui county, EPRA flagged some two petrol stations where one was selling diesel meant for export and another station altered super petrol with kerosene.
“Super Petrol dispensing pumps reopened after upgrading the product and paying the product and paying taxes and penalties amounting Sh150,000,” the notice reads.
Epra also flagged two more stations, in Kisumu(Kibos) where domestic kerosene had diluted marker and another one in Meru(Giaki) which was selling super petrol contaminated with domestics kerosene.
The regulator is urging Kenyans to report any suspected case of non-compliance to 0709 336 000 or dial the USSD code *363# and follow the prompts.
Adulteration of fuel is where the original product is mixed with with a foreign substance. For instance, adding kerosene into diesel or adding solvents into petrol.
The vice is a trick used by unscrupulous fuel dealers to maximise profits but it is dangerous and can cause irreparable damages to engines such as sudden failure, difficulty in starting, increased fuel consumption, low fuel spraying rate in the combustion chamber and increased emissions of particulate matter.
