Government intensifies LPG crackdown as Wandayi warns against political interference

The government has vowed to intensify its crackdown on illegal operations within the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector, warning that enforcement measures will continue until full compliance with the law is achieved.

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the Government remains resolute in strengthening safety, accountability and regulatory compliance across the LPG industry.

The crackdown follows the implementation of the LPG National Growth Strategy approved by Cabinet in October 2023, which seeks to accelerate the transition from biomass fuels to LPG as a cleaner energy source.

A key pillar of the strategy is the implementation of legal and regulatory reforms aimed at curbing illegal refilling and illicit trade in LPG, which the government considers a serious threat to public safety.

The LPG sector is regulated by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority under the Energy Act and Petroleum Act. The Petroleum (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) (No. 2) Regulations, 2025, require all persons conducting LPG businesses to obtain the requisite operational licences and comply with their licence conditions.

The regulations further require LPG cylinders to be clearly branded, with only legitimate brand owners authorised to refill and trade in cylinders bearing their respective brands.

Wandayi also disclosed that the Authority is working in concert with the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to combat illegal activities within the LPG subsector.

He maintained that enforcement operations are conducted within the confines of due process, with confiscated illegally refilled cylinders subjected to inventory-taking witnessed by the Authority, police and the affected operator before the operator is accorded a fair hearing.

The CS further accused impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of spreading misinformation over the Government’s enforcement measures in the LPG sector, warning him against directing attacks at senior ministry officials.

Wandayi challenged the former Deputy President to direct any concerns or accusations to him personally rather than targeting senior officers and technical staff undertaking their statutory responsibilities.

He warned that public officers should not be intimidated or vilified for enforcing laws designed to protect consumers and bring order to the LPG industry.

ThThgovernment is also establishing a central LPG cylinder tracking system intended to enhance transparency and accountability by facilitating the tracking of cylinder purchases and sales. The regulations require cylinders to be serialised to enhance traceability.

The ministry, however, clarified that procurement of the tracking system, which is being undertaken in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, is still ongoing and remains far from completion.

Wandayi further linked the LPG reforms to Kenya’s broader common petroleum importation framework, noting that the country has operated a common import system for Super Petrol, Diesel and Jet A-1/Kerosene for the past 23 years, with significant benefits in terms of price and quality.

In December 2024, Cabinet recommended the inclusion of Heavy Fuel Oil, Bitumen and LPG within the legal framework governing the common petroleum import system. This was subsequently followed by the publication of the Petroleum (Importation) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, under Legal Notice No. 60 of 2025, on 21 March 2025.

The CS stressed that consumer safety remains paramount, urging politicians to desist from attacking public officers and law-enforcement agencies legitimately performing their duties.

He maintained that the Government would not succumb to pressure from politicians or cartels seeking to benefit from illicit LPG trade, insisting that the crackdown would continue until full compliance is achieved.

“The crackdown on illegal LPG operations will be intensified until full compliance is achieved,” Wandayi said, signalling a hardening government stance against illegal LPG operations and attempts to interfere with enforcement efforts.