The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has raided an illegal gas refilling facility where empty cylinders of popular brands were being refilled.
EPRA in a statement on Tuesday, February 25 said that the raid which happened on Monday night targeted an illegal gas refilling point in Meru town where LPG cylinders belonging to other brands were being refilled without their consent.
The suspects who were caught conducting the illegal gas refilling however escaped following the raid.
“Last night, our hawk-eyed surveillance and enforcement officers raided an illegal gas refilling facility in Meru town and uncovered workers hastily filling LPG cylinders belonging to other brands without their consent,” read part of the statement.
“After being busted, the perpetrators chose the ‘every man for himself’ strategy, as they bolted from the scene leaving behind the gas leaking dangerously.”
Illegal gas refilling point raided in Meru
According to EPRA, the facility’s owner who was no present at the time of the raid, has since been summoned to face legal consequences.
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The regulatory authority further notified the public that illegal gas refilling by suspects is always conducted in a rush in a bid to dodge law enforcers, warning that safety is not a priority for such suspects thereby endangering themselves and the public.
“We remain committed to public safety and strongly warn traders against cross-refilling without authority. We also urge the public to only purchase their gas from duly authorized and licensed traders to guarantee their safety,” EPRA added.
The illegal gas trade has been costing licensed brand owners close to Ksh1.2 billion yearly, stemming from the inability to benefit from their investments in manufacturing cylinders, and marketing their brands through advertisements.
EPRA crackdown
Back in July 2024, the regulatory authority announced that it had recovered 26,000 LPG cylinders through its nationwide crackdown on illegal LPG refilling plants, a move which was aimed at preventing artificial losses by compliant dealers.
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The operation was conducted between June 2023 and June 2024 by EPRA‘s multi-agency team in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Eldoret.
As a result, 32 LPG refill facilities were shut with some having their LPG license suspended.
EPRA director General Daniel Kiptoo while commenting on the operation said the impounded cylinders would be returned to brand owners to help increase the quantity of genuinely refilled LPG cylinders in the market.
“The first batch of 6,000 LPG cylinders has been returned to brand owners,” Kiptoo said.
It is prohibited to refill, rebrand, deface, or submit LPG cylinders belonging to another brand for maintenance, according to the energy (liquefied petroleum gas) regulations, 2009.
Also, the regulations state that every LPG refill business must possess their own registered brand of at least 5,000 LPG cylinders or possess a written agreement allowing them to conduct refill business using the branded LPG cylinders from registered brand owners.
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