This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.
On a busy stretch of road near Kenya Pipeline Company in Nakuru, a group of young men were seen siphoning fuel from a lorry. The operation, which took place in broad daylight, was witnessed by a team from The Nation in July 2019.
According to residents, the fuel-siphoning cartels are made up of youths, petrol station owners, and county government officials who are protected by rogue police officers. The cartels have been operating openly, with the men moving from one petrol station to another hawking fuel, which is then sold to unsuspecting motorists.
A recent research by Eurocontrol Technics Group estimated that the global illegal market for fuel is valued at $133 billion. In Kenya, the Energy Regulatory Commission estimates that 28 million litres of kerosene consumed every month is mixed with either diesel or petrol and sold.
Residents of Nakuru claim that the cartels make millions of shillings from the business. They mix the siphoned fuel with other substances and sell it to mainstream filling stations.
“After getting the fuel from lorries, they mix it with other substances and sell it to mainstream filling stations,” a local resident, who requested anonymity, said.
Despite the existence of fuel siphoning cartels, the Menengai police say that the practice is a thing of the past. However, residents claim that the cartels are still active, and that the police are either complicit or turning a blind eye.
According to Molo police traffic boss Moses Nderitu, many accidents involving lorries and public service vehicles on the Nairobi-Busia road are caused by trucks being driven on free gear after selling their stock. The trucks use the wrong lane and end up hitting oncoming vehicles.
Kenya Motor Repairers Association says that adulterated fuel causes blockage to the steam through which the fuel is supplied to the engine. It also leads to the engine producing unusual sounds and collapses the capacity of the filter to stop dust from circulating into the inner parts of the engine.
