Director General for Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has said the National government is set to programme Fuel Markers for all transit motor fuels and domestic kerosene.
Speaking to journalists at a Kisumu hotel during the petrol station operators and transport business legislative and regulatory awareness workshop, Eng. Joseph Ng'ang'a said that there are malpractices that not only create unfair business environment, but result in loss of government revenue.
“I am glad to announce that the commission to this end had enhanced Fuel Marking services that will enable retailers purchase their own self-test kits,” said Eng. Ng'ang'a.
He added that retailers and transporters will benefit from the kits once they are made available later next year.
Ng'ang'a said the practices such as diversion of transit petroleum and adulteration of motor fuels with domestic kerosene affect the revenue collection.
“The presence of this markers is monitored throughout the country. To date several stations have had their licenses suspended and penalized because of being in possession of either transit or adulterated motor fuels,” he added.
Ng'ang'a said that through the workshop, there will be ways to help protect businesses from suppliers who take advantage of retail stations to advance their illegal trade.
“Last forum, some of the wholesaler in Kisumu complained of unregulated wholesale margin where it was claimed that licensed importers were selling to them,” said Eng. Ng'ang'a.
“The commission has since championed for change in the Act and I am pleased to inform you that the proposed Energy Bill is now in its final stages before it is presented to the parliament,” he said.
Energy Regulatory Commission is set to hold other similar workshop in Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret counties.