The Energy Petroleum Regulation Authority (EPRA) in conjunction with KEBS have issued a statement regarding the recent reports and circulating videos questioning the quality of fuel being sold in the country.
In a release dated Thursday, KEBS and EPRA warned that some gadgets used to measure Research Octane Number (RON) levels in fuel can provide false and inaccurate readings.
The two agencies asserted that the only correct process to verify RON would be via laboratory test confirmation through the standard procedures of sampling, equipment calibration and testing.
“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,” read the joint statement.
Fuel sold in the country undergoes mandatory testing and certification before being released to the market. In light of the recent circulating information, EPRA and KEBS revealed that they conducted ‘extensive confirmatory tests’ on samples from various petrol stations, including those mentioned in the video.
“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 the Kenyan standard,” it read in part.
EPRA and KEBS noted that Super Petrol is classified under different Research Octane Number (RON) ratings based on various engine configurations. RON ratings measure a fuel’s ability to withstand compression in an engine. Fuel with lower RON levels can lead to engine knocking.
After conducting the tests, the multi-agency team assured Kenyans of the high quality of fuel being sold in the country.
This comes just days after a YouTube content creator released a video comparing RON ratings at various petrol stations, including those selling premium fuel at higher prices. The video alleged that Kenyan motorists were being overcharged for low-quality fuel at some of the country’s popular petrol stations.
