The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has issued a fresh safety advisory to consumers purchasing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), urging them to obtain cylinders only from licensed dealers.
In a notice on Thursday, August 27, EPRA said buying LPG from authorised dealers is an important step towards protecting households, businesses and communities from risks associated with non-compliant operators.
"Consumer safety starts with where you buy your LPG cylinder. Always purchase your LPG from an EPRA licensed dealer to ensure you are dealing with an operator that meets regulatory requirements and is subject to regulatory oversight," the authority said.
EPRA noted that consumers should verify the licensing status of their LPG dealer before making a purchase, noting that dealing with authorised operators strengthens compliance within the LPG sector.
"Before you buy, check that your dealer is licensed. Choosing licensed LPG dealers promotes compliance, supports a safer LPG market and helps protect our homes, businesses and communities," the authority added.
Read More
This comes barely a day after the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum defended its crackdown on illegal activities in the LPG sector following claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleging the targeting of small-scale gas dealers.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 26, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the government’s actions are being implemented under the LPG National Growth Strategy and regulations governing the sector.
"The Cabinet in October 2023 approved the LPG National Growth Strategy meant to transition the populace from the use of biomass to the use of LPG, which is cleaner," the statement read.
Wandayi said one of the key areas covered by the strategy is legal and regulatory reform, with the government seeking to address illegal refilling and illicit LPG trade, which he said poses a threat to public safety.
"One of the key thematic areas in the Growth Strategy is legal and regulatory reforms in the LPG sector whose objective is to curb illegal refilling and illicit trade of LPG which is a threat to public safety," the statement added.
According to Wandayi, the LPG sector is regulated by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority under the Energy Act Cap. 314 and the Petroleum Act Cap 308.
He said the government developed new regulations to operationalise the laws and implement the objectives of the LPG National Growth Strategy.
Wandayi said the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority works with the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to enforce compliance and combat illegal activities in the LPG sub-sector.
He said the enforcement process includes documentation of confiscated cylinders and giving affected operators an opportunity to be heard before any legal or administrative action is taken.
"When illegally refilled cylinders are found and confiscated, due process is followed including inventory taking that is witnessed by the Authority, the Police and the operator involved. Thereafter the operator is accorded a fair hearing before any legal or administrative action is taken," the statement explained.
Wandayi also addressed the planned central LPG cylinder tracking system, saying the 2025 regulations provide for its establishment to track purchases and sales of LPG cylinders and promote transparency and accountability.
The regulations also require LPG cylinders to be serialized to facilitate traceability.
Wandayi said procurement of the tracking system will be undertaken in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, Cap 412C, and clarified that the procurement process is not yet complete.
