Almost all petrol stations in the country are supplying quality fuel, but some Kenyans may still be purchasing adulterated or substandard fuel, according to a new report by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
The Bi-Annual Energy & Petroleum Statistics Report 2024/2025, released on Thursday, indicated that nearly all petrol stations in the country are providing quality fuel, with 98.98 per cent of service stations adhering to quality standards.
EPRA, the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the energy and petroleum sectors, stated that between July and December 2024, the agency conducted 11,950 sample tests at 2,649 petroleum outlets across the country.
According to the report, "2,622 stations, equivalent to 98.98 per cent, were found to be compliant."
However, the report found that "27 stations were non-compliant." Although this number constitutes only a small percentage of all available stations, it highlights a concerning issue.
This suggests that consumers might unknowingly purchase fuel that could harm their vehicles and the environment.
Adulterated fuel consists of petroleum products mixed with inferior substances to increase quantity or cut costs. This can involve blending petrol with kerosene or diesel, or introducing other chemicals not designed for vehicle engines.
In contrast, substandard fuel fails to meet the required legal specifications regarding key qualities such as octane rating, flash point, or sulphur content.
Using adulterated or substandard fuel can have a range of detrimental effects. For car owners, the consequences may include engine damage, reduced performance, increased fuel consumption, and rising maintenance costs.
Additionally, burning low-quality fuel can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, leading to air quality issues and posing health risks to the public.
A viral video on social media last month showed a group of individuals in Nairobi evaluating the quality of V-Power premium fuel at various service stations. Their findings were surprising: some stations reported lower quality ratings for their premium fuel (87 RON) compared to the standard fuel available at the same locations (91 RON).
In response to these concerning revelations, both the petrol stations involved and regulatory bodies such as the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and EPRA reassured the public of the high standards maintained in the fuel sold across petrol stations, despite the raised concerns regarding quality at certain sites.
The EPRA report notes that when instances of non-compliance are few, "appropriate penalties were imposed as per the relevant legislation.
