The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has flagged 23 petrol stations across Kenya for selling adulterated fuel, even as the regulator reported a high national compliance rate of 99%.
According to EPRA’s Biannual Statistics Report for 2025-2026, the authority conducted 10,598 fuel sample tests across 2,305 petroleum outlets nationwide. Of these, 2,282 stations met the required standards, while 23 were found to be non-compliant and were subjected to penalties in line with existing regulations.
The affected outlets are spread across several counties, including Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kisumu, Machakos, Makueni, Bungoma, Vihiga, Nyandarua, Kwale, Kilifi, Meru, and Mombasa.
EPRA noted that fuel quality monitoring remains a top priority, with the agency employing advanced fuel-marking technology to curb adulteration and illegal diversion. The process involves adding traceable chemical markers to petroleum products, enabling inspectors to detect tampering or misuse.
To strengthen enforcement, the regulator has deployed mobile laboratories equipped with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysers. These portable devices can conduct on-site fuel sites in under five minutes, delivering near-instant, forensic-level results.
Fuel adulteration has long plagued Kenya’s petroleum sector, with unscrupulous dealers often mixing kerosene with petrol or diverting export bound fuel into the local market- practices that can damage vehicle engines and compromise fuel efficiency.
Meanwhile, the report indicates that Kenya imported more than 5.6 million cubic metres of petroleum during the review period, with nearly half allocated for domestic use. Local fuel demand rose by 8.38% to over 3.1 million cubic metres, driven largely by increased travel and higher diesel consumption during peak seasons.
In addition, EPRA issued close to 9,500 licenses between July and December 2025, covering petroleum retail, LPG operations, and fuel transport and storage services.
Despite the small number of violations, EPRA maintains that continued surveillance and technological investment are key to eliminating fuel adulteration and safeguarding consumers.
