The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) is facing growing criticism after multiple fuel quality tests exposed inconsistencies across various petrol stations.
The controversy began when automotive content creator Kim JH of Tanuki Garage posted a video revealing major discrepancies in the performance of fuel being sold as “premium” versus regular fuel.
His findings have triggered a wave of independent tests, further exposing the extent of the problem.
Blogger and activist Cyprian Nyakundi has since taken up the issue, amplifying the revelations and exposing the regulatory failures at EPRA.
According to Nyakundi, the scandal is just the tip of the iceberg, with allegations that EPRA has been complicit in allowing unscrupulous fuel dealers to operate unchecked.
He argues that instead of enforcing strict fuel quality standards, EPRA has turned a blind eye, allowing stations to mislead consumers with substandard products disguised as premium fuel.
This has sparked outrage among motorists who now feel cheated by both fuel companies and the regulator tasked with ensuring quality.
The tests conducted at multiple stations in Nairobi showed shocking results. At Shell Limuru Road, the so-called “V-Power” fuel, which is marketed as a high-performance premium product, scored an unimpressive 87 PON (Performance Octane Number), while regular fuel from the same station performed better at 91 PON.
A similar trend was observed at Shell Lavington, where V-Power again underperformed, scoring 87 PON compared to the regular fuel’s 90 PON.
These findings raise serious concerns about misleading marketing and the possibility that consumers are paying extra for a product that does not deliver the promised performance.
Surprisingly, not all stations performed poorly. Total Limuru Road and Astrol Rosslyn had better results, with Total Limuru achieving 92 PON and Astrol Rosslyn scoring 91 PON.
However, these variations point to a larger issue there is no uniform fuel quality standard across stations, and EPRA appears unable or unwilling to enforce compliance.
If a regulatory body cannot ensure consistency in a critical commodity like fuel, it calls into question its competence and commitment to consumer protection.
The exposure of these fuel inconsistencies has fueled public anger, with more motorists now independently testing fuel quality and sharing their findings on social media.
Many are demanding accountability from EPRA, accusing the agency of failing in its mandate.
Instead of ensuring fuel quality, EPRA seems more focused on protecting corporate interests while motorists suffer financial losses and potential engine damage.
The growing outcry is putting pressure on EPRA to act, but the question remains, will the regulator finally crack down on substandard fuel, or will it continue to allow powerful fuel companies to deceive the public? The silence from EPRA so far is only adding to the suspicion that the rot runs deep within the agency itself.
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