This archive report was first published on 14 September 2019.
On September 14, 2019, the government took a commendable step by outlawing the gas cylinder pooling system, a move that will restore sanity in an industry prone to unethical practices.
The pooling system allowed faceless refillers to sell gas cylinders with no regard to safety, denying brands the opportunity to monitor their cylinders. However, thanks to the new law, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) brands are now in a better position to guarantee the safety of every cylinder.
According to the World LPG Association, the distribution of cylinders is unique in the energy industry, and maintaining cylinder integrity throughout the distribution chain is essential for customer safety. The Association emphasizes that accidents caused by circumstances or people beyond the control of the owner can expose the owner to severe liability claims, damage the reputation of the owner, and damage to the overall reputation of the industry.
However, the effective implementation of the new law requires strict adherence to LPG global industry best practices. The government and the industry must work together to eliminate bad practices within the market framework, including poorly designed and constructed LPG storage facilities.
One of the more destructive practices is illegal filling (decanting) of cylinders by someone other than the cylinder owner. This practice can result in no control over the condition of the cylinder, no control over the quality or quantity of the product in the cylinder, and serious risk of damage or injury to those handling, including the customer.
Unfortunately, in Kenya, both the government and the Energy Dealers Association (EDA) continue to abet this illegal practice. The EDA represents 70 per cent of all gas sold in the country but owns only 10 per cent of the total cylinder population. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has become the epitome of impunity as more and more Kenyans live in the shadow of death that could arise from illegally refilled cylinders.
The writer is a communications consultant who follows the hydrocarbons sector.
