Energy Regulator Steps Up Clampdown On Illegal LPG Trade
A nationwide clampdown on illegal LPG refilling plants has recovered 26,000 cylinders in the past three years that compliant brand owners blame for losses of Ksh1.2 billion yearly. The losses stem from the inability of licensed brand owners to benefit from their investments in manufacturing cylinders, marketing their brands through advertisements, and loss of business as LPG cylinders released to the market are hardly returned for refilling. The operation was conducted between June 2023 and June 2024 by a multi-agency team led by the Electricity and Petroleum Regulatory Authority(EPRA) in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret saw 32 LPG refill facilities shut with some having their LPG licenses suspended. Mr Daneil Kiptoo, Director General, EPRA said the impounded cylinders will 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. The decision comes days aft...