By Ongaga Ongaga
A suspected fuel theft operation at Wilson Airport has been foiled after detectives intercepted a vehicle carrying hundreds of litres of jet fuel.
The fuel was allegedly siphoned from an aircraft under maintenance.
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According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), officers from the Kenya Airports Police Unit (KAPU) acted on suspicion and intercepted a white Mitsubishi Canter, registration KBM 647D, within the airport precincts.
“The vehicle was intercepted while attempting to blend into routine airport activity,” the DCI said in a statement.
“It was found carrying four drums, each brimming with 200 litres of jet fuel.”
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fuel had been illegally drained from an aircraft stationed at the NASD hangar.
The aircraft, operated by Airworks Aviation, was reportedly undergoing maintenance at the time—an opportunity detectives believe the suspects exploited.
“The plane was undergoing maintenance, providing the perfect cover for the fuel-thirsty predators,” the DCI stated, adding that the suspects’ plan “crashed as the law caught up with them before they could make their unauthorised exit.”
The alleged owner of the consignment, Gladys Ndumba Kanairo, was found at the scene but reportedly lacked a valid airport gate pass. Authorities also established that the vehicle did not have the required authorization from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to transport petroleum products.
Kanairo was arrested alongside the driver, Timothy Wambugu Maina, and two other suspects identified as Kennedy Njoka Kinuthia and Abdulmalik Musinga.
“They are currently undergoing processing as detectives prepare to arraign them,” the DCI said.
The impounded vehicle and the recovered jet fuel have been detained as exhibits as investigations continue.
