Epra, Kebs say local petroleum meets required standards

Business
By Macharia Kamau | Feb 06, 2025
Peter Langat, product quality excellence lead Vivo energy Kenya takes a sample of V-power fuel at Shell Lavington roundabout for further investigation and testing on 4th February 2025 at their Lab at Industrial Area in Nairobi. [Edward Kiplmo, Standard]

Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) have said fuel sold in the country is of the highest quality, following recent concerns about some petroleum products including Shell V-Power.

In a joint statement Thursday, the two regulators said all imported petroleum fuels undergo testing and certification before being released into the market as part of quality assurance measures.

"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," the statement said. "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.

The announcement offers some relief for major oil marketing company Vivo Energy Kenya which distributes and markets Shell products, which has endured an onslaught in the last few days after someone posted a video of themselves testing Shell V-Power, which they said was not of the required quality. The regulators cautioned the public against using uncalibrated equipment to test products.

"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 but the results from these gadgets cannot be guaranteed unless confirmed through laboratory tests that follow the required standard procedures," they said.

"The Kenya Bureau of Standards and Epra 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."

Share this story
NCBA: Nedbank sale deal on track as profit up 9pc
The tier-one lender said profit after tax rose to Sh6 billion in the three months to March 31, up from Sh5.5 billion a year earlier.
How Sh27.8b project is revamping informal settlements in urban areas
Kenya’s title deed programme in informal settlements is attracting investors, boosting land value and supporting sustainable urban development.
Why housing has become an economic crisis
The pertinent question at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum has not been if housing is important, but the justification that the global economy is hanging in the balance on its success.
AI-driven cyber threats rise amid global skills shortage
Demand for cybersecurity professionals is rising globally, with Africa carrying a significant share of the workforce shortfall.
Equity Q1 net profit up 24pc to Sh18.3b on regional units
Equity’s regional expansion paid off, becoming the primary engine of earnings.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS