Four suspects have been arrested after a secret attempt to siphon jet fuel at Wilson Airport and sneak it out under the cover of routine airport activity. The operation was stopped after vigilant detectives intercepted a suspicious vehicle at Wilson Airport.
The detectives from the Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU) intercepted a white Mitsubishi Canter, registration number KBM 647D. The vehicle was lurking within the airport precincts, with the suspects inside.
Detectives say the suspects tried to blend into the shadows of routine airport activity.
The vehicle was carrying four drums, each containing 200 litres of jet fuel.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fuel had been syphoned from an aircraft stationed at the NASD hangar. The aircraft, operated by Airworks Aviation, was undergoing maintenance, which provided the perfect cover for the suspects.
Police said that their plan to go unnoticed failed as the law caught up with the suspects before they could make their unauthorized exit.
The alleged owner of the stolen jet fuel, Gladys Ndumba Kanairo, was also found to have no gate pass.
At the same time, the Mitsubishi Canter itself lacked the mandatory authorization from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to transport petroleum products.
The four suspects Gladys Ndumba Kanairo, alongside the driver, Timothy Wambugu Maina, and two accomplices, Kennedy Njoka Kinuthia and Abdulmalik Musinga, were immediately arrested.
They were detained for processing as detectives prepare to hand them over to face justice.
“Meanwhile, the impounded vehicle and the recovered jet fuel are being held as exhibits”, the DCI said.
Police said they also want to determine whether siphoning has been a common practice in the area.
Jet fuel fetches more than other products due to its crucial role in aviation.
Featured image: DCI on X
