Government Defends LPG Crackdown, Says Illegal Refilling Threatens Public Safety
By Faith wanza mueni
NAIROBI, August 26, 2026 — The Government has defended its ongoing crackdown on illegal liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) operations, saying the enforcement is aimed at protecting consumers and curbing illicit trade in the sector.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary J. Opiyo Wandayi said the Government would intensify enforcement against illegal LPG activities, dismissing allegations that the crackdown was targeting legitimate businesses.
Wandayi said the Government was responding to remarks made earlier in the day by impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which he described as “very unfounded allegations” touching on the safety of the Kenyan public.
“Ordinarily we would have ignored him, because I think now Kenyans are used to his ranting. But because the matters he talked about touch on the safety of the Kenyan public, we have had to come out and put the record straight,” Wandayi said.
He said the Cabinet approved the LPG National Growth Strategy in October 2023 to facilitate the transition from biomass fuels to LPG, which is considered a cleaner source of energy.
According to Wandayi, one of the key areas under the strategy is legal and regulatory reform aimed at eliminating illegal cylinder refilling and illicit trade in LPG, which he said poses a significant threat to public safety.
The Cabinet Secretary said the LPG sector is regulated by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) under the Energy Act, Cap 314, and the Petroleum Act, Cap 308.
He said the Government had subsequently developed regulations to operationalise the laws and implement the LPG National Growth Strategy.
The Petroleum (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) (No. 2) Regulations, 2025, contained in Legal Notice No. 189 of 2025, were gazetted on November 14, 2025.
Wandayi said the regulations require all persons undertaking LPG businesses to obtain the necessary operational licences and comply with licensing conditions.
The regulations also require LPG cylinders to be clearly branded, with only legitimate brand owners authorised to refill and trade in the cylinders.
He explained that the regulatory framework also provides for the establishment of a central LPG cylinder tracking system to facilitate monitoring of cylinder purchases and sales.
“All cylinders are required to be serialized for purposes of traceability,” he said, adding that the procurement of the tracking system would be undertaken in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.
Wandayi said the tracking system was intended to enhance transparency and accountability among LPG market players, noting that its procurement process was still underway.
The Government has also partnered with the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to combat illegal activities within the LPG subsector.
Wandayi said when illegally refilled cylinders are confiscated, due process is followed, including inventory-taking witnessed by the relevant authorities and the affected operator.
He said operators are also given an opportunity for a fair hearing before any legal or administrative action is taken.
The Cabinet Secretary further noted that Kenya had operated a common petroleum import system for Super Petrol, Diesel and Jet A-1/Kerosene for the past 23 years, a framework he said had delivered benefits in terms of price and quality.
He said the Cabinet recommended in December 2024 that Heavy Fuel Oil, Bitumen and LPG be incorporated into the legal framework governing the common petroleum import system.
The Petroleum (Importation) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, Legal Notice No. 60 of 2025, were subsequently published on March 21, 2025.
Wandayi said the Ministry had been working with stakeholders to ensure compliance with the new framework.
He warned politicians against interfering with enforcement agencies carrying out their lawful duties, urging them to refrain from attacking public officers involved in enforcing LPG regulations.
“LPG safety is paramount to the consumer,” Wandayi said, assuring Kenyans that the Government would not succumb to pressure from politicians or cartels seeking to benefit from illegal LPG trade.
He said the crackdown on illegal LPG operations would continue and be intensified until full compliance with the regulations is achieved.
Comments
Post a Comment