Motorists on Sunday, June 18, questioned why they ended up making more trips to fuel their cars at certain petrol stations which results in spending more money within the specified period.
The conversation ignited a heated debate with some wondering why they spent less in other service stations for the same period.
The general observation was that vehicles that were not properly maintained would burn up to 30 per cent more on fuel. However, critics weighed in and suspected certain petrol stations of exploiting motorists by offering adulterated fuel at the pump.
"Who has noticed that you lose 1.7 Kilometre per litre fueling at (name withheld) vis-a-vis other stations? Are they adding something to make the fuel burn less efficiently?" A motorist named Clever Jay wondered.
"I noticed that for every Ksh1,000 worth of fuel, I get 10 km more when I fuel at a particular shell station in Nakuru County.
"I fuel at a petrol station along State House Road on a daily basis and it's the best. When I fuel my Nissan Note at Ksh8,200, it travelled for 650 kilometres. I fueled at another station and it was below half tank which covered 280 kilometres only," motorists lamented.
Others, however, noted that the comparison would only fit the situation if all factors remained constant.
"It's very interesting and very hard to determine (usage rate) unless you fuel a full tank at one particular petrol station and note the litres used then zero your trip meter and drive until the fuel depletes. Indicate the total mileage covered then calculate the Kms/litre. Repeat the same process with another service station to note the difference," Tom Goko stated.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Miller Kyalo, car dealer and expert, weighed in on the matter and disregarded claims of fuel adulteration. He added that the government had put in place standards that kept petrol stations in check.
"I had the same suspicions but speaking honestly, I think they're just being paranoid. The Kenyan government has systems to check on fuel adulteration and are very rigid.
"We also have the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) as well as weights and measures which keep our fueling stations in check. Take note that heavy fines are slapped on businesses found to have tampered with the metering system or adulteration on fuel," he noted.
Further, Kyalo pointed out that petrol stations collected fuel from one source which underwent a strict protocol before distribution.
"Fuel in Kenya is bought or imported in bulk then transported from Mombasa by pipeline then distributed and collected by petrol stations from the deport so practically we are sipping from the same cup," he indicated.
In March 2023, several motorists complained of falling victim to rogue petrol stations that sold fuel in low quantities at the standard price. This meant that for one litre of fuel at the normal price, the petrol stations dispensed only 800 ml.
