Detectives from the Kenya Airport Police Unit have stopped an attempted theft of jet fuel at Wilson Airport after intercepting a vehicle inside the airport grounds.

According to an X post by the DCI on Monday, May 4, 2026, the operation unfolded when officers on patrol noticed a white Mitsubishi Canter moving in a restricted area without clear authorisation. They moved in and stopped the vehicle for inspection. What they found raised immediate concern. Inside were four large drums, each filled with about 200 litres of jet fuel.

Investigators say the fuel had been drawn from an aircraft parked at a maintenance hangar within the airport. The aircraft, operated by a local aviation company, was undergoing routine servicing at the time. This created an opportunity that was allegedly used to access the fuel without detection.

Officers believe the plan involved moving the fuel out of the airport under the cover of normal airport activity. However, the movement of the vehicle without proper clearance triggered suspicion before it could leave the premises.

Custody as probe continues

Four individuals linked to the incident were taken into custody. They are persons of interest in the ongoing investigation. Police say they are helping with inquiries to establish how the fuel was accessed, who authorised entry into the restricted area, and whether more people were involved.

Preliminary checks also revealed gaps in compliance. The vehicle used to transport the drums did not have the required approval from the energy regulator for carrying petroleum products. In addition, documents required for movement within the airport could not be produced at the time of interception.

Authorities have also raised questions about the ownership and intended destination of the fuel. Investigators are now working to trace the full chain of events, including access logs at the hangar and fuel storage records.

The vehicle has been impounded. The recovered fuel has been secured as evidence. Both will remain under police custody as investigations continue.

Security officers at the airport say the incident highlights the need for strict monitoring of aircraft maintenance zones and fuel handling areas. They add that routine operations can sometimes be used to mask unlawful activity if oversight is weak.

The persons of interest remain in custody as detectives prepare the case file for further action. Police have urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward through official reporting channels.