As Kenyans grapple with rising fuel prices at the pump, experts are warning of a growing but less visible crisis in the petroleum sector: the risk of fuel adulteration driven by widening price differences between kerosene and diesel.
With kerosene retailing at about KES 152 per litre and diesel at approximately KES 242, analysts say the nearly KES 90 gap has created a strong financial incentive for unscrupulous dealers to illegally mix kerosene into diesel.
Governance expert commentator Maliba Arnold warned that the price structure has effectively opened the door to malpractice across parts of the fuel distribution chain.
“Whenever the price gap between kerosene and diesel is this wide, the temptation to mix products becomes very high. The profit margins are simply too attractive for rogue dealers to ignore,” he said.
He cautioned that motorists may already be paying the hidden cost through vehicle damage and reduced engine performance.
“Consumers will not immediately see the problem at the pump,” he said. “But over time, we expect clogged injectors, poor combustion, increased emissions, and expensive mechanical repairs.”
Industry players say adulteration typically increases when kerosene remains significantly cheaper than diesel, particularly in periods of high fuel taxation and global oil price volatility. The practice, while illegal, has been documented in various markets where enforcement is weak and monitoring systems are inconsistent.
Transport operators have also raised concerns that the quality of fuel in circulation may not always match regulatory standards, especially in smaller towns and informal fuel stations where oversight is limited.
“We are already struggling with high prices. If fuel quality is also compromised, then drivers are the ones who suffer double losses,” said a Nairobi-based mechanic who services public service vehicles.
Environmental experts have further warned that adulterated fuel can increase harmful emissions, contributing to air pollution and worsening urban air quality, especially in densely populated areas.
“The problem is not just mechanical—it is environmental,” said an energy and environment analyst. “Poor-quality fuel leads to incomplete combustion, which increases toxic emissions.”
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has previously cautioned against fuel adulteration, saying it conducts routine inspections and sampling across the country to ensure compliance with fuel quality standards. However, concerns persist among stakeholders that enforcement capacity may not always match the scale of the distribution network.
Motorists, meanwhile, are being advised to buy fuel only from licensed stations and to report suspicious practices, though many say enforcement alone may not be enough to eliminate the risk.
Beyond the immediate pressure of rising fuel prices, experts warn that the widening price gap between petroleum products could continue to create opportunities for illegal mixing unless structural pricing and monitoring challenges are addressed.
