Seven arrested at illegal fuel station in Nairobi’s Industrial Area

By Evelyne Wanja

Seven people have been arrested at Industrial Area in Nairobi in connection to illegal fuel operation.

According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the suspects were nabbed following a tip off by the Kenya Power surveillance officers.

Five of the culprits, who are yet to be taken to court, were arrested and taken to Muthaiga Police Station on Friday while the other two were arrested on Sunday trying to siphon fuel from the scene.

A total of 5,250 litres of diesel, 500 litres of petrol, 400 litres of engine oil, 900 litres of kerosene together with a motor vehicle tanker with a capacity of 1,000 litres were also nabbed in the operation.

From last year, about 20 illegal dens have been closed down by the authority in the area.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority says they have increased surveillance across the country to safe guard the quality of petroleum products sold locally

“We need information as the authority to come and close down these illegal dens, the illegal dens are a big danger to public safety. You can imagine the people living next behind if there is a fire explosion you can imagine the number of catastrophes we are going to have and it’s a big loss,” said EPRA Managing Director Pavel Oimeke.

He added: “By end of around next year we are going to have about 8-9 offices for enforcement. These are people who will respond within a short time as well as do civilian activities to check where these illegal activities are occurring.”