The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has closed super petrol and diesel dispensing pumps at 12 fuel stations countrywide for selling adulterated fuels, which are also export bound.
EPRA said in a statement this happened in the first quarter of 2021. The regulator also suspended services of repeat offenders for three months.
“Pursuant to Section 92 of the Petroleum Act 2019, EPRA is mandated to monitor petroleum products offered for sale in the local market with the aim of preventing motor fuel adulteration and dumping of export bound fuels,” the petroleum regulator said in a statement.
During the January – March 2021 period, the Authority conducted 5,536 tests at 1,182 petroleum sites.
“And from the tests, 98.99 percent were found to be compliant. Twelve (12) sites were found to be non-compliant, and thus, EPRA has acted against them in accordance with Regulation 15 of the Energy (Retail Facility Construction and Licensing) Regulations, 2013,” EPRA said further.
The regulator is encouraging members of the public to report suspected cases of petroleum products adulteration or export dumping through [email protected], the hotline number 0708 000 444, the Authority’s USSD code (*363#) or the SMS service code (40850).
The 12 non-compliant fuel stations whose pumps were closed included Rani Filling Station in Embu that was found to be selling Super Petrol containing high sulphur.
Cited as a repeat offender, the station has been suspended for three months effective January 12, 2021, and fined taxes and penalties amounting to Sh432, 810 which they have since paid.
In Busia, the regulator closed down Lexo Energy Busia service Station where domestic kerosene marker dilution was detected.
However, its kerosene pump was reopened after paying a Sh560,950 fine.
In Nakuru, EPRA closed Half Moon Filling Station for selling diesel meant for export, while in Kisii County operations of Nyatieko Filling Station were terminated for offering for sale Super Petrol meant, also meant for export.
The BM Kanyakine Filling Station in Meru was also closed down for offering for sale petrol containing high levels of Sulphur.
In Trans Nzoia EPRA spared Jire’s Filling Station after paying Sh538, 739 in taxes and penalties for selling petrol meant for export and had its dispensing pumps re-opened.
The Eagle filling Station and Kuwait Filling Station in Busia and Murang’a counties were closed for offering for sale Super Petrol meant for Export.
Other affected are Northstar Energy Service Station in Wajir County for selling diesel containing high sulphur and Zams Filling Station in Nyamaiya in (Nyamira county) for selling petrol with the same high levels of sulphur.
In Mandera, EPRA closed down operations of Quality Energy Service Station and Mohamed Kosman Service Station which were found offering for sale Diesel containing High Sulphur.
