Kenya Pipeline foils fuel theft attempt after discovering illegal connection in Mombasa

Kenya Pipeline foils fuel theft attempt after discovering illegal connection in Mombasa - KPC security teams have foiled a fuel theft attempt in Mombasa after uncovering an illegal connection on a pipeline linking two pumping stations, with police investigating. (Photo: Kenya Pipeline Company PLC)

Security teams detected and secured an illegal connection on a pipeline linking two pumping stations before any fuel could be siphoned.

The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has foiled an attempted fuel theft after discovering an illegal connection installed on a pipeline linking two pumping stations in Mombasa County.

The connection was detected during routine surveillance by the company's security and pipeline maintenance teams along the pipeline connecting Pumping Station 14 to Pumping Station 15.

KPC said its officers secured the site before any petroleum products could be siphoned, preventing potential losses.

The company subsequently reported the incident to Chaani Police Station, with specialist police teams launching investigations into the attempted theft.

KPC General Manager for Human Resource and Administration Dinah Kirwa confirmed that the attempted siphoning had been stopped before any fuel was lost.

"Our officers have successfully managed to foil a criminal act which is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities," Kirwa said.

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She added that the company's monitoring teams had detected the illegal connection and secured the scene in time.

The incident has raised concerns over attempts to interfere with critical fuel transportation infrastructure, which moves petroleum products from the Port of Mombasa to inland markets and other parts of the region.

KPC operates a pipeline network stretching approximately 1,342 kilometres across Kenya, supported by storage facilities and pumping stations.

The company said it relies on surveillance systems, security intelligence and leak detection technology to monitor its infrastructure and identify possible interference.

Police investigations are expected to establish who installed the illegal connection and whether other individuals were involved in the attempted siphoning.