Government Defends LPG Crackdown, Vows Tougher Action Against Illegal Dealers

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi (centre) addresses the media during a briefing in Nairobi on the Government’s enforcement of LPG regulations and crackdown on illegal refilling and illicit trade.

By: Gladys Karuga

The Government has defended its ongoing crackdown on illegal activities in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector, saying the enforcement measures are necessary to protect consumers and enhance public safety.

Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi said the Government was compelled to respond to criticism by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua because the remarks touched on the safety of LPG consumers.

Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi, Wandayi said the Cabinet approved the LPG National Growth Strategy in October 2023 as part of efforts to support the transition from biomass to LPG, a cleaner source of energy.

He said the strategy places emphasis on legal and regulatory reforms aimed at eliminating illegal refilling and illicit trade in LPG, which he described as a major threat to public safety.

“One of the key thematic areas in the growth strategy is legal and regulatory reforms in the LPG sector, whose primary objective is to curb illegal refilling and illicit trade of LPG, since it is a big threat to public safety,” said Wandayi.

Wandayi noted that 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 added that the Petroleum (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) (No. 2) Regulations, 2025, were developed to operationalise the relevant laws and implement the national growth strategy.

The regulations, contained in Legal Notice No. 189 of 2025 and gazetted on November 14, 2025, require all persons operating LPG businesses to obtain the necessary operational licences and comply with prescribed licence conditions.

They also require LPG cylinders to be clearly branded, with only legitimate brand owners authorised to refill and trade in the cylinders.

The CS said EPRA works closely with the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to combat illegal activities within the LPG subsector.

He explained that the confiscation of illegally refilled cylinders is undertaken through established procedures, with inventory-taking witnessed by EPRA officials, police and the affected operator.

According to Wandayi, the affected operator is subsequently given an opportunity for a fair hearing before any legal or administrative action is taken.

The regulations also provide for the establishment of a central LPG cylinder tracking system to monitor purchases and sales while improving transparency and accountability among players in the sector.

“The procurement of the system will be done in line with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, and for avoidance of doubt, such a process is far from completion,” he said.

Wandayi also defended Kenya’s common petroleum import system, saying the country has operated the framework for Super Petrol, Diesel and Jet A-1/Kerosene for 23 years, with benefits in terms of price and quality.

He said Cabinet recommended in December 2024 that Heavy Fuel Oil, Bitumen and LPG be incorporated into the legal framework governing the common petroleum import system.

This resulted in the Petroleum (Importation) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, which were published on March 21, 2025.

Responding directly to Gachagua’s criticism, Wandayi said the Government could not ignore statements concerning public safety, although he accused the former Deputy President of making unfounded allegations.

“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,” said Wandayi.

The CS urged politicians to refrain from attacking public officers and law enforcement agencies carrying out their statutory responsibilities.

He maintained that the Government would continue enforcing LPG regulations despite political pressure and assured Kenyans that efforts would be intensified to ensure compliance among LPG dealers.

“The crackdown on illegal LPG operations will be intensified until full compliance is achieved,” said Wandayi.

He said the Government’s priority remains protecting consumers from risks associated with illegal LPG refilling and illicit trade while ensuring that legitimate players operate within the law.