This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
On March 12th, 2019, the Presidential assent of the Energy Act 2019 and the Petroleum Act 2019 marked a significant shift in the energy sector, with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) rebranding as the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
EPRA's Director General, Pavel Oimeke, emphasized the Authority's commitment to promoting energy efficiency, freedom of choice for energy consumers, and innovations that will unleash Kenya's energy abundance.
Under the expanded mandate, EPRA will regulate upstream petroleum operations, including exploration, production, processing, transportation, storage, importation, and sale of coal bed methane gas and other energy forms.
However, despite the rebranding, concerns persist about corruption in the energy sector, particularly at Kenya Power. The company has been under pressure to refund billions illegally taken from Kenyans through a billing scandal.
Kenya Power has launched a campaign to raise awareness on billing processes and combating fraud, but critics argue that the company is missing the point and that EPRA has failed to ensure affordable power for all Kenyans.
The Authority's new regulations in the LPG sub-sector have been met with skepticism, with many fearing a cooking gas shortage due to the abolition of the pooling system.
As EPRA begins its new chapter, questions remain about its ability to address the ease of identifying legitimate cooking gas and providing clarity on cylinder ownership and legal recourse in case of accidents.
