KPC and KEBS Partner to Fast-Track Fuel Testing and Boost Kenya’s Energy Trade
KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari( Left) ,KPC Managing Director Joe Sang(right) pose for a photo with Stakeholders during the signing of the three-year Service Level Agreement (SLA) held at KPC headquarter.
The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) have inked a game-changing three-year Service Level Agreement (SLA) that will see all petroleum cargo entering Kenya tested at KPC’s ISO 17025-accredited laboratories. The deal, worth approximately Ksh. 45 million, aims to streamline fuel quality testing, reduce delays, and boost Kenya’s competitiveness as a regional energy hub.
Signed at the KPC headquarters in Nairobi, the agreement is set to transform the national fuel testing framework by leveraging KPC’s advanced network of seven laboratories six focused on petroleum and one on environmental testing strategically situated across major depots and the Kipevu Oil Terminal in Mombasa.
Speaking during the signing Ceremony, KPC Managing Director Joe Sang hailed the agreement as a significant step toward improving transparency and operational efficiency in Kenya’s petroleum sector.
“Our collaboration with KEBS is a bold step in reinforcing trust, enhancing regulatory compliance, and accelerating the clearance of petroleum products at entry points, with our ISO 17025:2017 accreditation, we are now able to deliver global-standard results faster and more efficiently.”said Sang.
Sang added that fuel testing timelines will drop from 24 hours to just seven, thanks to in-house, high-tech equipment using globally recognized ASTM and Energy Institute (EI) standards. This will enable faster clearance, benefiting consumers, oil marketers, and international trading partners.
KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari( Left) and KPC Managing Director Joe Sang(right) during the signing of the three-year Service Level Agreement (SLA) held at KPC headquarter.
Making her remarks,KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari welcomed the partnership, calling it a landmark development in quality assurance.
“This collaboration will significantly reduce logistical challenges, cut costs, and enhance the safety and reliability of Kenya’s fuel supply chain,” Ngari said.
The SLA is also in line with KPC’s broader 2021 strategic plan to commercialize its laboratories and offer services to third-party clients, including Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Previously, fuel samples had to be transported to distant facilities, leading to increased costs and processing delays.
Beyond streamlining the testing process, the agreement reflects the government’s push to enhance cooperation among state agencies and promote efficient, standards-driven trade practices.
With the partnership now active, KPC positions itself as East Africa’s largest multi-site petroleum testing network, helping to meet the region’s growing energy demands with precision, speed, and credibility.
By Sharon Atieno
