The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has busted and closed down a "major unlawful fuel siphoning den" in Port Reitz, Mombasa.
According to EPRA, in a statement on Thursday, May 29, the operation led to the recovery of 23,000 litres of stored diesel.
EPRA said the operation was spearheaded by Francis Keri, Coast Regional Manager, and Ali Nuno, the Coast Regional Police Commander.
"Our Coast region Surveillance and Enforcement team, led by Coast Regional Manager, Mr Francis Keri and Coast Regional Police Commander, Mr Ali Nuno, led a successful enforcement operation targeting a major unlawful fuel siphoning den in Port Reitz area, Mombasa County," EPRA stated.
EPRA noted that the operation was in accordance with the Petroleum Act, Cap 308, which stipulates that operating a petroleum storage, filling, or handling facility is an offence.
The authority affirmed that it will not back down in its crackdown on such facilities, and will take legal action against individuals operating the businesses to safeguard public safety and the environment.
"EPRA and the National Police Service reaffirm their commitment to ensuring compliance with petroleum regulations and safeguarding public safety and the environment," EPRA said.
The announcement comes a month after the authority, on Monday, May 31, announced the closure of nine petrol stations selling adulterated and export-bound fuel, after it conducted tests in 1,360 petrol stations.
According to a notice by the authority, out of the 1,360 petrol stations assessed, 1,347 were found compliant, while 13 were non-compliant and received varying penalties, including closure.
“During the period January- March 2025, a total of 5,978 tests were conducted at 1,360 petroleum sites. From the tests, 1347 (99.04%) of the sites were found to be compliant. However, tests from Thirteen, 13 (0.96%) sites turned out to be non-compliant,” the notice by the authority read.
Among those closed during this period were the Wamuini Petrol Station in Endebess and Mungatsi Filling Station, Miami Energy Filling Station, Mungatsi Filling Station, Wangu Filling Station, and Sofla Energy Service Station in Kisumu, TransNzoia, Busia, and Kajiado counties, respectively.
Others closed during the crackdown included the Kobedo Filling Station in Homa Bay, the 61 Bus Filling Station in Embakasi Central, Nairobi, and the El Bethel Filling Station in Marsabit and an illegal Fuel Site in Mazeras, Kilifi.
In the notice, EPRA urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities via its official hotline operational only during normal working hours. Kenyans were also encouraged to access a full list of all sites found with adulterated products in the past on its official website.
