The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) is once again in the spotlight after a viral video by automotive content creator Kim JH of Tanuki Garage exposed shocking irregularities in fuel quality at several petrol stations.
According to a report shared by Cyprian Nyakundi on X, formerly Twitter, the findings have sparked outrage among motorists, who are now questioning whether they are being duped by oil marketers and whether EPRA has been complicit in allowing substandard fuel to flood the market.
The initial video focused on multiple stations in Nairobi, where fuel tests showed alarming results. At Shell Limuru Road, for example, their so-called premium V-Power fuel had a Performance Octane Number (PON) of 87, while the station’s regular fuel scored 91 PON.
The same pattern was observed at Shell Lavington, where V-Power recorded an 87 PON, while regular fuel stood at 90 PON. This means motorists paying extra for premium fuel are getting lower-quality fuel than standard options, raising serious concerns about false advertising and possible fraud.
Meanwhile, other stations performed much better. Total Limuru Road recorded a 92 PON, while Astrol Rosslyn managed 91 PON.
These results have fueled suspicion that some petrol stations are diluting their fuel or failing to adhere to the quality standards they claim to uphold.
The discrepancies suggest either deliberate tampering or EPRA’s failure to conduct proper inspections, both of which point to regulatory incompetence.
With these revelations coming to light, independent fuel testers and car enthusiasts have now joined the movement to expose the extent of the problem.
Many are sharing their findings online, warning fellow motorists about which stations to avoid. The fact that private individuals are stepping in to do the work that EPRA is supposed to be doing has only further damaged the regulator’s credibility.
EPRA, which is tasked with ensuring that fuel sold in Kenya meets the required standards, has remained largely silent despite mounting pressure. This silence raises the question of whether the authority is protecting the interests of powerful oil marketers instead of defending consumers.
The regulator’s failure to take swift action against the stations implicated in the video suggests either gross negligence or outright collusion with those engaging in malpractice.Kenyan motorists are now demanding accountability.
They want to know how long this has been happening and why EPRA has failed to prevent it. With more fuel tests being conducted across different locations, it is becoming increasingly clear that substandard fuel is not an isolated issue but a widespread problem enabled by weak regulation.
If EPRA continues to ignore the concerns of motorists, it risks completely losing public trust. The authority must immediately take action by conducting independent fuel tests, penalizing stations found to be selling low-quality fuel, and enforcing stricter oversight measures.
Anything less will confirm the growing belief that EPRA is not serving the interests of Kenyan consumers but rather those of corporate profiteers.
This scandal has exposed deep flaws in the fuel industry, and if left unchecked, it will only worsen. The public must remain vigilant, and the government should step in to ensure EPRA does its job. Until then, motorists should be cautious about where they fuel, as the regulator tasked with protecting them has proven to be either incapable or unwilling to do so.
