Mombasa Motorist Claims TotalEnergies Lake Naivasha Sold Adulterated Fuel Amid National Shortage

Mombasa driver Grace Yuge faces KSh 45k in repairs after allegedly buying adulterated fuel in Naivasha. Read the full details of the ongoing dispute.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 10:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from TUKO.co.ke

Mechanical Failure Following a Significant Refueling Stop

A routine journey for a Mombasa resident turned into a costly mechanical ordeal following a stop at the TotalEnergies Lake Naivasha station on April 4, 2026. Grace Yuge reported that she purchased 56 litres of petrol for approximately KSh 9,000, only for her vehicle to malfunction shortly thereafter. Upon inspection by a mechanic, it was discovered that the fuel tank contained a mixture of petrol and water, forcing the driver to halt her trip and drain the contents into jerricans. The incident has raised concerns about fuel quality control during a period where the country is already grappling with limited supply.

Financial Burden of Emergency Vehicle Restoration

The consequences of the alleged fuel contamination extended beyond a delayed journey, resulting in an immediate financial hit for the motorist. Yuge was forced to commission a mechanic from Nairobi to perform emergency repairs on the roadside, a service that cost KSh 45,000. This unplanned expenditure covered the extensive labor required to flush the fuel system and restore the car to a drivable condition. According to Yuge, the visual difference between the siphoned liquid and standard petrol was stark, as the substance from the station appeared significantly lighter and lacked the expected consistency of pure fuel.

Stalemate Over Accountability and Evidence

Efforts to seek redress at the station led to a confrontation between the motorist and the fuel attendants. Yuge returned to the Naivasha site with the drained fuel samples and her official payment receipt to demand an explanation, but she was met with firm denials. Attendants at the station insisted that such contamination was impossible and suggested the manager was unavailable due to a lunch break. This lack of immediate corporate accountability has intensified the driver's frustration, leading her to take the matter to social media to warn other motorists about the station’s practices.