Epra seizes over 35,000 litres of smuggled petroleum products in Moyale

The latest seizure is part of Epra's ongoing nationwide efforts to eliminate cartels and restore integrity to the energy sector.
Epra assured the public that enforcement operations will continue and warned those involved in illegal trade to cease.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has intercepted more than 35,000 litres of smuggled petroleum products in a major multi-agency operation in Moyale, Marsabit county.

According to the authority, the operation targeted a fuel smuggling network believed to be using porous routes along the Kenya–Ethiopia border to traffic petroleum products into the country without paying taxes or meeting safety standards.

The enforcement mission was led by Epra deputy director Major Augustine Ouma and conducted jointly with the Energy Police Unit, the Border Patrol Unit and other enforcement officers from the authority following intelligence gathered on the activities of the cartel.

During the operation, three suspects were arrested and are currently being held at Moyale police station pending arraignment.

"In a high-level multi-agency operation conducted in Moyale, Marsabit County, our ever vigilant Surveillance and Enforcement team has today seized over 35,000 litres of smuggled petroleum products being trafficked into the country through porous border routes," the state agency said in a statement.

The illegal trade, the authority said, has been undermining legitimate fuel dealers and threatening the stability of the formal energy market.

“Illegal fuel trafficking is shutting down licensed fuel stations, denying government revenue, and exposing Kenyans to unsafe products. We will continue dismantling these networks, and every offender will face full legal consequences,” Ouma said.

Epra noted that the infiltration of untaxed and unregulated petroleum products has resulted in unfair competition in the sector, forcing some licensed dealers to scale down or close operations altogether due to unsustainably low prices offered by smugglers.

Additionally, the authority warned that such products pose serious public safety risks, as they often fail to meet required quality standards.

Poorly refined fuel can damage vehicle engines, cause fire hazards during transportation and storage, and contribute to environmental pollution.

Epra is mandated to regulate the importation, refining, storage, transportation, and marketing of petroleum products in Kenya.

Its role includes ensuring that all petroleum sold to consumers meets the legal quality and safety requirements while also protecting government revenue and market stability.

The authority also oversees pricing regulations for fuel products, routinely issuing monthly price reviews to safeguard consumers from exploitation while ensuring sustainability in the supply chain.

The latest seizure, the Authority noted, is part of its ongoing nationwide efforts to eliminate cartels and restore integrity to the energy sector.

Epra assured the public that enforcement operations will continue and warned those involved in illegal trade to cease or risk arrest and prosecution.

"Epra remains steadfast in safeguarding Kenya’s energy sector, and assures the public of continuous nationwide enforcement to protect consumers, secure revenue, and uphold industry standards," Epra stated.