ERC Warns Drivers of Contaminated Fuel in Kenyan Market

The government, through the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), has issued a notice to all motorists in the country in a bid to cordon them off a scheme that can destroy their cars.

ERC has asked drivers to be on alert over the presence of contaminated fuel in the Kenyan market following numerous complaints from consumers.

When purchasing fuel, drivers have now been asked to demand a payment receipt and keep a record of proof of payments made through mobile money platforms.

“For ease of records and evidence, the commission urges motorists paying for fuel in cash to always obtain a receipt while those paying by use of mobile money platforms as Mpesa, Airtel Money and Tkash to always retain the confirmation of payment message,” announce ERC in a public notice.

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Drivers are also urged to report immediately in the event drivers realize that their vehicles had loss of engine power, jerking and produced excessive smoke after refueling at any station.

The records are meant to facilitate investigation into the possible sale of adulterated fuel to affected drivers as evidence of the transaction.

ERC has also given oil tanker drivers until July 2, 2018, to obtain licenses that are provided by the regulator for free lest they will barred from operating.

“Drivers will be required to have certificates to transport petroleum products and tankers will be required to have permits aht are all issued by the commission at no cost,” advices ERC.

The licensing of fuel transporting entities, their tankers and drivers seeks to ensure that the fuel business meets Kenyans standards. This, ERC states is part of measures they have put in place  to evert illegalities such as diversion of products meant for export, unprofessional driving and fuel adulteration.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i on Wednesday affirmed that more detectives had been assigned to tackle adulteration of fuel, promising to make more arrests of the unscrupulous dealers.

"Alot of arrests have been made and more work is going to be done. The adulteration of fuel that has happened in some parts of the country, the level of criminality involved is mind boggling that there are people who make money by moving around goods that they know for sure are poisonous and harmful," stated the CS.

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The CS identified Busia county as part of the areas marked as prone to fuel contamination and influx of counterfeits into the Kenyan market when he addressed the media on the seizure of illegal. 

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