The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) confirms that its emergency and incident response teams in Mombasa County have successfully prevented an attempt to siphon petroleum products using an illegal connection on a line connecting two delivery pumping stations.
During routine surveillance, the firm’s security and pipeline maintenance teams on Monday (02/11/26) tracked the illegal connection on the Line connecting Pumping Station 14 to Pumping Station 15 in Mombasa County.
KPC officers promptly secured the illegal connection site and reported the matter to Chaani Police Station, and specialist police teams are currently investigating.
“Our gallant officers have successfully managed to foil a criminal act which is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities,” said KPC General Manager (Human Resource & Administration) Mrs Dinah Kirwa.
KPC Strengthens Pipeline Security Through Real-Time Monitoring
Mrs Kirwa added that the illegal connection caused no product loss, as the monitoring teams promptly tracked and secured the crime scene.
As part of its corporate infrastructure, KPC maintains robust technological and physical surveillance systems, including advanced security intelligence, leak detection, and safety technologies across its 1,342-kilometre pipeline network in Kenya.
The real-time monitoring systems safeguard critical infrastructure. KPC has also invested heavily in internationally benchmarked safety protocols, reducing exposure to operational, environmental, and reputational risks.
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Previous Fuel Siphoning Cases Raise Concerns Over Pipeline Security
The latest incident comes against the backdrop of previous cases of illegal petroleum siphoning and trade in suspected stolen fuel in Kenya.
In April 2024, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested 41 people during a raid on an alleged fuel siphoning and adulteration operation along Lunga Road in Nairobi.
During the operation, officers recovered more than 17,020 litres of diesel and 6,110 litres of petrol, alongside five tankers, generators, drums, siphoning pipes and jerrycans suspected to have been used in the illegal trade.
Investigators also found petroleum products suspected to have been siphoned from trailers, with documents recovered at the scene indicating that part of the consignment was destined for a petrol station in Thika.
In May 2024, the DCI announced another crackdown on suspected fuel siphoning operations at a site off Kangundo Road, where officers seized fuel tankers, generators fitted with hosepipes, jerrycans and other equipment used in the illegal trade.
Protecting Critical Petroleum Infrastructure
The previous investigations highlight the continued challenge of illegal petroleum activities and the importance of protecting fuel supplies and related infrastructure.
Illegal connections to petroleum pipelines pose risks beyond the potential loss of products.
In addition, they can expose infrastructure to damage, disrupt fuel transportation and create environmental and safety hazards.
Although these cases involved separate operations and are not linked to the latest Mombasa incident, they underscore the need for continued vigilance and enforcement to safeguard petroleum infrastructure.
