How EPRA is cracking down on fuel adulteration in Kenya

Fuel adulteration has long been a pressing issue in Kenya’s petroleum sector. For decades, unscrupulous dealers tampered with fuel often by mixing in kerosene or diverting export-bound products into the domestic market, damaging vehicle engines, reducing fuel efficiency, and causing significant economic losses.

However, the landscape is now changing. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), through a technology-driven strategy, is making progress in safeguarding fuel integrity.

At the heart of this transformation is the Fuel Integrity Solution (FIS), developed in partnership with SICPA Kenya, a global leader in secure traceability and authentication technologies.

The FIS represents a modern approach to a long-standing problem, combining advanced biochemical markers, real-time digital monitoring, and rigorous enforcement protocols.

The FIS involves the use of a patented biochemical marker added to petroleum products at the point of entry or distribution. This marker, which is safe, non-toxic, and stable, allows for the clear identification of adulterated or diverted fuel throughout the supply chain. The technology is sophisticated enough to detect even minute levels of tampering.

To ensure widespread coverage and accurate monitoring, EPRA has deployed mobile laboratories equipped with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers, capable of conducting onsite tests in under five minutes. These portable analyzers provide forensic-level analysis, making it difficult for fraudulent operators to escape detection.

SICPA has introduced a digitalised infrastructure that enables the tracking of every marker dose used, including GPS-traced jerrycans and tamperproof seal mechanisms. The data from marking operations is transmitted in real time to a secure, cloud-based platform accessible only to authorised personnel. This end-to-end system ensures complete traceability, transparency, and accountability.

The results of this initiative have been compelling. According to the latest Energy and Petroleum Statistics Report for the 2023–2024 financial year, the total volume of marked export and domestic fuel rose by 11.7%, reaching 3.6 billion litres. At the same time, domestic kerosene volumes marked decreased by 48.2%, indicating a significant reduction in adulteration attempts.

This drop in kerosene marking is critical. Historically, kerosene’s lower cost made it an attractive substance for fuel dilution. By reducing its circulation and improving detection mechanisms, EPRA has made adulteration not only risky but increasingly unviable.

Furthermore, over 27,000 fuel samples were collected from nearly 6,000 petroleum sites, with a compliance rate of 98.67%. These figures illustrate the widespread reach and effectiveness of the FIS. In addition, 85 fuel quality complaints were resolved within the same period, demonstrating EPRA’s responsiveness and commitment to upholding consumer trust.

One of the most notable advancements in the new programme is the automation and precision involved in the fuel marking process. Previously, dosage was calculated volumetrically and was susceptible to inaccuracies due to temperature changes.

Today, the system relies on digital mass-based dosing using connected, computerized scales accurate to within 0.1% that ensure exact measurement regardless of environmental conditions.

Every marker-filled jerrycan is uniquely labelled, tracked, and secured. Only after validating its tamperproof seal and verifying its weight does the system allow the use of its contents. All movement from the warehouse to the fuel terminal is GPS-monitored, and incidents are logged in the central system.

In 2023, Self-Test Kits (STKs) were also introduced to empower retail operators to verify fuel quality independently. Designed specifically for the Kenyan market, these kits allow stakeholders in the supply chain to detect anomalies before distribution, adding yet another layer of integrity and early detection.

The benefits of these developments go beyond clean engines and satisfied motorists. Fuel adulteration has historically cost the government significant revenue losses through tax evasion and fuel dumping. With the FIS, the government is now able to safeguard revenue streams, which can be redirected towards essential services and infrastructure.

Moreover, the use of cleaner, unadulterated fuel contributes to better combustion, resulting in lower carbon emissions and a reduction in air pollutants. For a country like Kenya facing the dual challenges of urbanization and climate vulnerability this environmental dividend is particularly important.

Additionally, by improving investor confidence in the petroleum sector and enabling better planning through business intelligence reporting, EPRA is contributing to the stability and growth of the broader economy.

SICPA’s fuel marking solution is not just a local initiative it has earned international recognition from institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) for improving fiscal governance and curbing illicit trade. In 2024, SICPA led the global market in government-deployed fuel marking solutions, with over 60 billion litres marked annually across multiple countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, and Saudi Arabia.

Despite its global stature, the FIS programme in Kenya is distinctly local in its execution. Marking operations are conducted by trained Kenyan personnel, ensuring that capacity building, employment, and operational expertise remain within the country.

EPRA is not resting on its laurels. Plans are in place to enhance the FIS system with predictive analytics, enabling pre-emptive identification of potential fraud hotspots. Public awareness campaigns will also be intensified to empower consumers to spot and report suspicious fuel.

However, combating fuel fraud is not the sole responsibility of regulators. It requires a collaborative approach. Businesses must maintain ethical standards. Consumers must remain vigilant. And all stakeholders must work together to ensure the continued integrity of Kenya’s fuel supply chain.

Through the strategic deployment of technology, strict enforcement, and robust public-private collaboration, EPRA has demonstrated that integrity and innovation can, indeed, drive together in the same tank. Kenya’s fight against fuel fraud is yielding measurable results cleaner fuel, a more transparent market, and a stronger economy.

As the system evolves and adapts to new threats, one thing is clear: Kenya’s fuel supply chain is no longer an easy target, but a model of accountability and modern governance.