KPC foils attempt to steal fuel through illegal pipeline connection in Mombasa
The Mt Kenya Times 
By James Murimi
The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has foiled an attempted petroleum products theft in Mombasa County after its security and maintenance teams discovered an illegal connection installed on a pipeline linking two pumping stations.
The incident, detected on Monday, November 2, 2026, involved an unauthorised connection on the pipeline running between Pumping Station 14 and Pumping Station 15.
KPC said its security and pipeline maintenance teams uncovered the illegal connection during routine surveillance, prompting an immediate response to secure the site and prevent the suspected siphoning of petroleum products.
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, commended the company’s emergency and incident response teams for acting swiftly to prevent the criminal operation.
“Our gallant officers have successfully managed to foil a criminal act which is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities,” Kirwa said.
She confirmed that no petroleum products were lost during the incident, crediting the company’s monitoring systems and rapid response teams for promptly identifying and securing the illegal connection.
The incident highlights the security challenges facing critical petroleum transportation infrastructure, particularly the threat posed by organised attempts to illegally tap pipelines and siphon fuel.
KPC said it had strengthened surveillance across its 1,342-kilometre pipeline network through a combination of advanced security intelligence, leak detection technology and physical monitoring systems designed to identify suspicious activities and protect its installations.
The company added that its real-time monitoring capabilities and internationally benchmarked safety protocols were aimed at safeguarding petroleum infrastructure while reducing operational, environmental and reputational risks.
KPC is mandated to provide safe, reliable, efficient and cost-effective transportation, storage and distribution of petroleum products from the Port of Mombasa to inland markets in Kenya and the wider East African region.
The publicly listed company operates an extensive pipeline network supported by strategically located storage, pumping and loading facilities, with a combined annual capacity of approximately 14 billion litres of petroleum products.
Investigations into the illegal connection are ongoing.
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