Mombasa-Nairobi Pipeline Damaged During Drilling Works in Tassia

The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has deployed emergency response teams to contain a petroleum leak after a section of its Mombasa-Nairobi pipeline was punctured during third-party construction works in Tassia, Embakasi, Nairobi.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:00am along Line 5, which transports petroleum products from Mombasa to Nairobi, near Outer Ring Road.

In a statement, KPC said preliminary investigations indicated that a contractor working for the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) accidentally punctured the pipeline while conducting geotechnical survey and drilling activities.

Following notification of the incident, the company immediately shut down the affected pipeline section and dispatched technical personnel, emergency response teams and fire-safety officers to the site.

KPC also secured the affected area in collaboration with security and emergency response agencies to contain the product release and prevent potential risks to the surrounding community.

The company’s teams have undertaken containment, product recovery, environmental management and public-safety operations as investigations into the incident continue.

KPC said the situation was under control, with the drill rig operators assisting the Kenya Police Service in investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the pipeline damage.

The company’s technical teams are also assessing the extent of the damage and undertaking the necessary repairs to restore the affected infrastructure.

KPC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting neighbouring communities, safeguarding the environment and maintaining the integrity of its petroleum transportation infrastructure.

The company said it would provide further updates as more information becomes available.