Detectives say the tanker driver reportedly siphoned fuel valued at over Sh2 million before abandoning the vehicle in Uasin Gishu County under unclear circumstances.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the fuel consignment had been earmarked for export before it mysteriously disappeared from the Eldoret depot where it had been stationed.
DCI boss Daniel Muleli confirmed the incident, revealing that preliminary investigations suggest the driver diverted and sold the fuel before going into hiding.
Authorities believe the theft may not have been a one-man operation, pointing to possible collusion with other individuals within the supply chain or external buyers.
“The driver went missing shortly after the tanker left the depot, and the vehicle was later recovered abandoned, with a significant quantity of fuel unaccounted for,” Muleli said.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect, whose identity has been established but not publicly disclosed as investigations intensify.
The recovered tanker is currently being held as an exhibit, with forensic and mechanical assessments ongoing to determine the extent of tampering and confirm how the siphoning was executed.
Investigators are also tracing fuel distribution networks in the region to identify potential buyers who may have received the stolen product.
Cases of fuel siphoning have been on the rise in recent years, often involving insiders familiar with logistics routes, depot operations, and surveillance gaps.
Security agencies warn that such incidents not only cause massive financial losses but also undermine trust in Kenya’s petroleum export systems.
Transport and energy sector players have repeatedly called for stricter monitoring mechanisms, including real-time tracking and tighter access controls at depots.
Meanwhile, police are urging members of the public with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect to come forward.
Authorities insist that those found culpable, including accomplices and buyers of the stolen fuel, will face the full force of the law.
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