Security agencies have apprehended three workers of the Kenya Railways in connection with siphoning of fuel from train wagons at the Sultan Hamud Railways Station.
The three, who included a locomotive driver and two security guards, were apprehended red-handed on Saturday, January 17, after members of the public alerted the Kenya Railways and the Port Police about the sinister plan.
During the raid, police officers managed to seize 20-litre jerry cans and two 18-litre water dispenser bottles, which were filled with the stolen petrol.
According to the latest estimates from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), one litre of petrol currently costs Ksh182.52.
With this in mind, the suspects were found to be in possession of 76 litres of fuel, with an estimated value of Ksh12,955.72.
Images shared by detectives showed the train was an industrial train, which typically carries additional fuel in separate wagons. These fuel wagons or tank cars are essentially mobile storage tanks and can hold diesel, petrol, or other fuels.
After their arrest, the three were escorted to Emali Railways Police Station to undergo processing pending arraignment, according to DCI.
"Kenya Railways and Port Police have arrested three individuals implicated in the illegal act of siphoning fuel from train wagons at the Sultan Hamud Railways Station," a statement from DCI stated.
"As the train remained at the Sultan Hamud Railway Station, waiting for a new driver to take over, the three individuals were promptly escorted to Emali Railways Police Station, where they are undergoing processing pending arraignment," it added.
Citizens have been encouraged to get in touch with the DCI through their toll-free number 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp at 0709 570 000 to report such incidents.
Theft of railway materials is not uncommon. In June last year, police arrested a suspect allegedly transporting stolen Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) materials in Kibini, Kajiado County, using a lorry.
In a statement on Thursday, July 17, the National Police Service (NPS) said that the railway materials included 61 railway sleepers and 60 rail bars.
"Today, 17 July 2025 – Officers from the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU), working collaboratively with colleagues from the Sultan Hamud Police Post, acted on a tip-off and intercepted a lorry suspected of transporting stolen railway materials in the Kibini area," NPS stated.
