NAIROBI, Kenya – A covert fuel theft operation at Wilson Airport has been foiled after detectives uncovered a scheme to siphon jet fuel from an aircraft undergoing maintenance.
In a statement issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI) on Monday, May 4, investigators from the Kenya Airport Police Unit said the operation came to light when officers intercepted a suspicious vehicle within the airport.
The vehicle in question, a white Mitsubishi Canter (registration KBM 647D), initially appeared to be part of normal airport operations.
However, upon inspection, officers discovered what authorities described as “a heavy secret: four drums, each brimming with 200 litres of jet fuel.”
Preliminary findings indicate that the fuel had been illegally drained from an aircraft stationed at the NASD hangar.
The aircraft, operated by Airworks Aviation, was undergoing maintenance at the time, circumstances investigators believe were exploited by the suspects.
As detailed in the report, “the plane was undergoing maintenance, providing the perfect cover for the fuel-thirsty predators.”
Authorities say the suspects attempted to move the fuel out of the airport undetected, but their plan failed before they could exit the premises.
“Their plan to fly under the radar crashed, as the law caught up with the suspects before they could make their unauthorised exit,” the statement added.
The alleged owner of the fuel consignment, Gladys Ndumba Kanairo, was found without a valid gate pass and the vehicle lacked the required clearance from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority to transport petroleum products—raising further red flags.
Kanairo was arrested alongside driver Timothy Wambugu Maina and two other suspects, Kennedy Njoka Kinuthia and Abdulmalik Musinga.
Police confirmed that all four are in custody and undergoing processing ahead of court proceedings.
Meanwhile, authorities have detained both the vehicle and the recovered fuel as key exhibits in the case.
Investigations are ongoing as officials work to determine the full extent of the attempted theft and whether more individuals could be involved.
