In a high-level multi-agency operation conducted in Moyale, Marsabit County, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has seized over 35,000 litres of smuggled petroleum products being trafficked into the country through porous border routes along the Kenya–Ethiopia frontier.
The operation, led by EPRA deputy director Major (Rtd) Augustine Ouma, was executed in collaboration with the Energy Police Unit, the Border Patrol Unit, and other EPRA enforcement officers.
The coordinated sting followed credible intelligence reports on a well-organized fuel smuggling cartel operating in the northern region.
During the crackdown, three suspects were arrested and are currently being held at the Moyale Police Station pending arraignment in court. The arrests mark a significant step in the ongoing government efforts to combat fuel smuggling, a practice that has long undermined Kenya’s regulated energy market.
EPRA has expressed growing concern over the negative economic impact of illicit petroleum trade, noting that it continues to cripple legitimate businesses and deny governments vital tax revenue.
According to the authority, many licensed fuel stations have been forced to shut down due to unfair competition from smugglers supplying untaxed, unregulated, and often unsafe fuel.
Speaking after the operation, Major (Rtd) Ouma issued a stern warning to those involved in the illegal trade, describing it as a form of economic sabotage that will not be tolerated.
“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,” said Major (Rtd) Ouma.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Kenya’s energy sector, emphasizing that enforcement operations will continue across the country to protect consumers, uphold safety standards, and secure national revenue.
EPRA urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious petroleum activities, reiterating that the fight against illegal fuel trade requires collective effort from both regulators and citizens.
With this latest crackdown, EPRA has demonstrated its unwavering resolve to protect the integrity of Kenya’s petroleum industry and ensure that only safe, licensed, and quality-assured products reach the market.
