Detectives from the Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU) have foiled an attempted jet fuel theft at Wilson Airport, arresting four suspects linked to the illegal operation.
The suspects were intercepted after a white Mitsubishi Canter, registration KBM 647D, was spotted within the airport precincts under suspicious circumstances.
Inside the vehicle, officers recovered four drums, each containing 200 litres of jet fuel, believed to have been siphoned from an aircraft undergoing maintenance at the NASD hangar, operated by Airworks Aviation.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the fuel had been drained from an aircraft stationed at the NASD hangar. The plane, operated by Airworks Aviation, was undergoing maintenance, providing the perfect cover for the fuel-thirsty predators,” Statement read.
Investigations indicate that the theft was concealed under routine airport operations, taking advantage of the aircraft’s maintenance status.
The alleged consignment owner, Gladys Ndumba Kanairo, was found without a valid airport gate pass, while the vehicle lacked authorization from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) for transporting petroleum products.
Also arrested were the driver, Timothy Wambugu Maina, and two accomplices, Kennedy Njoka Kinuthia and Abdulmalik Musinga.
All four are in custody as detectives prepare to arraign them in court. The vehicle and the recovered fuel have been impounded as exhibits.
