Authorities in Mombasa have arrested a man and seized thousands of litres of illegally stored fuel from his homestead in the Port Reitz area. The significant operation led to the recovery of 17,000 litres of diesel and 1,360 litres of petrol, highlighting the ongoing crackdown on illegal fuel storage and distribution networks across the country.
The operation, conducted on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, was the result of a coordinated effort involving officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the coast regional police command, and officials from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). According to police reports, the fuel was discovered hidden within the man’s compound, and he was promptly taken into custody.
The suspect was arraigned in court on Thursday, May 29, 2025, as the confiscated fuel was transported to the Port Police Station for further handling. Authorities believe the seized products were part of a wider fuel-siphoning operation, possibly linked to an illicit syndicate involved in the unauthorised handling and sale of petroleum products.
During the same operation, officers also raided a separate iron-sheet structure located by the roadside near the Kenya Refinery. Inside the makeshift storage site, they found an additional 1,000 litres of diesel. The individual believed to be operating that location was not present at the time of the raid and is currently being sought by law enforcement agencies.
Officials have reiterated the dangers posed by illegal fuel handling and storage, emphasizing the grave risks to both individuals and the wider community. Improper storage of large volumes of fuel in residential areas can result in catastrophic fires, explosions, and environmental damage. The authorities stressed that such actions violate the country’s petroleum laws and regulations.
This arrest is the latest in a string of law enforcement actions targeting fuel siphoning and black-market fuel distribution. Just a year earlier, on May 4, 2024, a fuel siphoning ring was uncovered along Kangundo Road. That operation led to the recovery of thousands of litres of various petroleum products, once again pointing to the scale and persistence of illegal fuel trade activities.
In another notable case from April 2024, police detained at least 41 individuals after they were found operating an unauthorised fuel yard near a petrol station on Lunga Lunga Road. During that raid, law enforcement officials discovered five tankers containing more than 17,000 litres of diesel and over 6,000 litres of petrol. They also confiscated 30 fuel drums, four generators, siphoning pipes, and jerrycans, which were being used in the illegal operations. A vehicle transporting 50 litres of petrol was also seized.
Authorities have vowed to continue their surveillance and enforcement actions in collaboration with relevant agencies to curb fuel theft and illegal distribution. They urged members of the public to avoid engaging in or supporting such activities, warning that violators will face legal consequences.
Law enforcement officials are now following up on leads that could help dismantle the broader network involved in the unlawful storage and sale of fuel, as investigations continue into the recently discovered caches.
