The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) jointly with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has dismissed quality concerns over some of the fuel being sold in the country.
In a statement on Thursday, the two agencies cautioned the public about gadgets that provide false or unverified Research Octane Number (RON) ratings.
Research Octane Number (RON) ratings, also known as octane ratings is the standard measure of a fuel’s ability to withstand compression in an internal engine combustion. Using a fuel with low RON could lead to engine knocking.
According to the multi-agency team, results from some of the gadgets could not be guaranteed unless confirmed through laboratory tests that follow the required standard procedures of sampling, equipment calibration, and testing.
"We would like to caution consumers and the general public that there are gadgets in the market that can provide a qualitative indication of the RON rating but the results from these gadgets cannot be guaranteed unless confirmed through laboratory tests," the multi-agency team stated.
EPRA and KEBS further assured Kenyans that the quantity of fuel sold in the country strictly adhered to the set quality standards.
The two agencies disclosed that upon receiving reports of fake fuel being sold in the country, they conducted extensive confirmatory tests on fuel samples from various petroleum retail stations, including those specifically mentioned in the reports.
The results of the tests revealed that the fuel at all sampled stations met the recommended RON ratings as stipulated by Kenyan Standards.
They also confirmed that all petroleum fuels imported into the country underwent testing and certification before being released into the market which is part of the quality assurance measures.
"In light of the recent reports and videos circulating on social media, we have conducted extensive confirmatory tests on fuel samples from various petroleum retail stations, including those specifically mentioned in the reports," read the joint statement.
"We are pleased to report that the results of these tests confirm that the fuel at all sampled stations meet the recommended Research Octane Number (RON) ratings as stipulated by Kenyan Standard."
While addressing the matter, KEBS and EPRA expressed their commitment to upholding transparency, dedication and accuracy in their findings.
The development comes days after a Kenyan content creator shared videos of him conducting fuel tests at different stations across Nairobi County.
The content creator alleged that the results of the tests he conducted showed that some of the petrol stations sold standard fuel products.
He went ahead to highlight one of the popular petrol stations in the country which he accused of selling substandard fuel to motorists.
