Vivo Energy Kenya, the exclusive distributor and marketer of Shell products, has addressed concerns raised in a viral social media video titled “Testing Petrol Quality in Kenya” that questions the quality of Shell V-Power fuel at select service stations. Vivo Energy Kenya has responded to allegations on the quality of Shell V-Power fuel in select regions in Nairobi. In a statement, the company reaffirmed its commitment to stringent quality standards for fuel imports into Kenya. Vivo Energy Kenya stated that it adheres to two standard Research Octane Number (RON) categories: Unleaded (RON 93) and Shell V-Power (RON 95).
According to the distributor, all fuel shipments are certified at their source and undergo rigorous testing upon arrival in the country. “We have stringent quality control measures in place at our depots to ensure all fuels meet the required standards before being distributed through our nationwide Shell service station network,” the company said in the statement. Vivo Energy Kenya added that it is taking the claims seriously and has launched a comprehensive investigation, including independent laboratory testing, to verify the allegations. The company promised to provide further updates upon completing the review. Who conducted test on fuel quality? The response comes in the wake of a fuel quality test conducted by an automotive content creator, Kim HJ of Tanuki Garage, across several petrol stations in Nairobi.
The findings revealed unexpected variations in fuel performance, with some premium fuels underperforming compared to their standard counterparts. According to the test results, Total Limuru Road recorded the highest performance with 92 PON, followed by Astrol Rosslyn at 91 PON. Total Spring Valley and Rubis UN Avenue registered 90 PON each.
However, Shell stations recorded notable discrepancies. At Shell Limuru Road, V-Power scored 87 PON, while standard fuel at the same station rated higher at 91 PON. A similar trend was observed at Shell Lavington, where V-Power scored 87 PON, compared to the 90 PON recorded by regular fuel at the same location. These findings sparked debate among motorists, with many questioning the consistency of premium fuel quality across stations. Consumers paying a premium for V-Power expressed concern over the lack of apparent advantages in some locations. The controversy continues to fuel discussions on whether premium fuels deliver on their promises, with Vivo Energy Kenya’s ongoing investigation expected to shed more light on the issue.
by Nancy Odindo
