The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) have given a clean bill of health to petrol stations in the country after reports emerged that a significant number of filling stations had lower-quality petrol.
In a joint statement on Thursday, February 6, 2025, EPRA and KEBS pointed a blaming finger at the device used to determine the quality of petrol in the videos circulating online, stating that a reliable outcome could only be arrived at in a controlled laboratory test.
“In response to recent concerns about the quality of petroleum fuels available in the country, we, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) are releasing this statement to assure consumers and the general public of our commitment to transparency,” the joint statement read in part.
“In light of the recent reports and videos circulating on social media, we have conducted extensive confirmatory tests on fuel samples from various petroleum retail stations, including those specifically mentioned in the reports. We are pleased to report that the results of these tests confirm that the fuel at all sampled stations meet the recommended Research Octane Number (RON) ratings as stipulated by Kenyan Standards,” they assured.
Adding: “It is important to note that these ratings can only be accurately conducted in a controlled laboratory setting, where all variables can be monitored and measured effectively.”
Premium fuel
EPRA and KEBS also dismissed reports that premium fuel including the Shell V-power had low quality, noting that their independent tests had cleared the premium fuel as well.
“In instances where Super Petrol is marketed as a premium fuel with higher RON ratings, our tests consistently affirm compliance with these higher standards. Consequently, we urge consumers to continue to have confidence in the quality of petroleum fuels available, as there is no cause for alarm,” EPRA noted.
Faulty gadgets
“We would like to caution consumers and the general public that there are gadgets in the market that can provide a qualitative indication of the RON rating but the results from these gadgets cannot be guaranteed unless confirmed through laboratory tests that follow the required standard procedures of sampling, equipment calibration, and testing,” EPRA warned.
Adding: “The Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority are committed to upholding transparency and accuracy in our findings, and we remain dedicated to ensuring that the fuel available to consumers meets the highest standards. We understand the importance of this issue to the public and continue to prioritize their safety and satisfaction.”
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