This archive report was first published on 17 September 2019.
On September 17, 2019, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) issued a stern warning to retailers, supermarkets, and transporters against stocking unlicensed LPG cylinders.
According to the new Petroleum (Liquified Petroleum Gas retailer) Regulation 2019, LPG retailers must obtain multiple approvals to stock different brands, a move aimed at taming the illegal practice that has exposed consumers to poor quality and risky cylinders.
EPRA has vowed to implement the new regulation strictly, increasing penalties for illegal gas refilling tenfold to a minimum of Sh10 million or imprisonment of at least five years or both.
Retailers who fail to keep gas cylinder records for more than a year will face a fine of Sh50,000 for each offense, with the records expected to include the serial number of each cylinder, date of purchase, the weight of each cylinder, and the name of the buyer.
The new regulation may increase the price of cooking gas, but EPRA believes it will ensure that LPG brands can guarantee the safety of every cylinder.
