Kenyan police have arrested three men for stealing fuel from a train at Sultan Hamud Railway Station. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced the arrests on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Kenya Railways and Port Police officers caught the people in the act of siphoning petrol from train wagons.

The men arrested are security guards and a locomotive driver. Authorities acted after members of the public reported the suspicious activity. The DCI described the tip-off as coming from vigilant members of the public who noticed the men stealing fuel.

Police responded quickly and found them with containers full of petrol. Officers seized two 20-litre jerrycans and two 18-litre water dispenser bottles, all filled to the top with fuel. The train remained at Sultan Hamud station while officers waited for a replacement driver.

The men were then taken to Emali Railways Police Station. They will be processed and are expected to appear in court soon.

In a statement, the DCI emphasised its strong stance against such crimes.

“The National Police Service remains firmly committed to combating fuel theft and all forms of economic sabotage through sustained vigilance, swift action, and strong public partnership,” the statement read.

Fuel theft

Fuel theft is a serious problem in Kenya. Theft from pipelines, depots, and transport systems costs the country millions of shillings every year. It disrupts supply chains, pushes up fuel prices, and puts lives at risk through fire hazards and explosions. When insiders such as drivers and security guards are involved, the problem becomes even harder to stop.

The DCI encouraged Kenyans to keep reporting crimes. It shared contacts for anonymous reports.

Fuel stolen from trains often ends up on the black market, sold cheaply and undercutting legitimate businesses. Small acts of theft can add up to major economic losses. The National Police Service continues to push for more vigilance at transport hubs.