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DCI arrests 41 suspects in Nairobi fuel siphoning syndicate

Among the impounded tankers were two petroleum trailers, which were found to lack security seals on their compartments. (Photo: DCI)

By Lucy Mumbi | Saturday, April 13, 2024

During the operation, five tankers were discovered at the site, containing over 17,020 litres of diesel and 6,110 litres of petrol.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested 41 suspects found allegedly operating an illegal petroleum siphoning business.

The operation was led by the Operation Support Unit team who apprehended the suspects at an undeveloped yard behind Shell petrol station off Lunga Road, Nairobi.

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During the operation, five tankers were discovered at the site, containing over 17,020 litres of diesel and 6,110 litres of petrol.

Additionally, four generators, 30 drums, siphoning pipes, and jerrycans were seized by DCI Crime Scene Investigators, working in collaboration with officials from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

Among the impounded tankers were two petroleum trailers, which were found to lack security seals on their compartments.

“In the yard were two petroleum trailers both loaded with petroleum products, but whose three compartments were without security seals,” the DCI said.

Further inspection revealed three other petroleum tankers loaded with petroleum products suspected to have been siphoned from the trailers.

A Nissan Sunny car, carrying 50 litres of petrol, was also detained during the operation.

The detectives said several documents which were recovered from one of the trailers indicated that the fuel originated from the Shell depot, intended for the New Gatitu Shell petrol station in Thika.

They added that the apprehended suspects were taken into custody pending arraignment on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Emerging security threats

Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo had warned that illegal petroleum facilities, dumping of export petroleum products, adulteration of petroleum products and siphoning of petroleum products on the highways were emerging security threats.

The PS spoke earlier this week during the State of the Petroleum and Oil Industry briefing for the first quarter of 2024 organised by the Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA).

He said illicit trade in petroleum products is a serious national security threat and new measures need to be established to curb the trade.

“The sector continues to harbour rogue business people while some elements within the law and enforcement agencies have been compromised thus the need to enhance intelligence-led enforcement, harden prosecution measures and capacity building across enforcement agencies,” Omollo said.

He reiterated that there is need to protect critical energy infrastructure such as petroleum pipelines and storage facilities from natural disasters, terrorist and cyber-attacks, or sabotage for overall national safety and security.