Four Arrested as Police Thwart Jet Fuel Theft Plot at Wilson Airport

Wendy Nyambura 7 hours ago

A suspected jet fuel theft operation has been stopped at Wilson Airport after the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of hundreds of litres of fuel.

In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said detectives from the Kenya Airports Police Unit (KAPU) reported that the incident unfolded after officers intercepted a white Mitsubishi Canter, with registration number KBM 647D, within the airport precincts under suspicious circumstances.

Upon inspection by officers, the vehicle was found carrying four drums, each containing approximately 200 litres of jet fuel, raising immediate concern among the officers.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fuel had allegedly been siphoned from an aircraft which was undergoing maintenance at the NASD hangar.

The Aircraft Is Operated By Airworks Aviation

The aircraft is operated by Airworks Aviation, and was reportedly stationed at the facility at the time of the jet fuel theft.

Police believe the suspects may have taken advantage of routine airport operations and maintenance activities to execute the theft without being seen.

Also Read: Irungu Kang’ata Sets Conditions to Join Gachagua After Dumping UDA

The alleged owner of the fuel consignment, identified as Gladys Ndumba Kanairo, was found without a valid gate pass authorising her presence or movement within the restricted airport area.

DCI further established that the vehicle which was used to transport the fuel did not have the necessary clearance from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which is mandated to oversee the transportation and handling of petroleum products.

Suspects Arrested

Kanairo was arrested alongside the driver of the vehicle, Timothy Wambugu Maina, as well as two other suspects, Kennedy Njoka Kinuthia and Abdulmalik Musinga.

All the four suspects are currently in police custody undergoing processing as investigations continue.