The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has dropped a bombshell on the gas industry. Over the weekend, an illegal liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refilling plant was uncovered in the heart of Mombasa’s Majengo area, sparking fresh fears over the safety of gas distribution in Kenya.
The rogue facility was not just operating without a license—it was actively tampering with brand logos, repainting cylinders, and putting lives at risk with each refill.
This shocking revelation exposes a deeper crisis within the country’s gas sector, where unscrupulous dealers are flouting laws and endangering the public.
Illegal Gas Refilling Plant Caught Violating Safety Laws in Mombasa
In a joint operation involving the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), and the National Police Service (NPS), EPRA’s coastal Surveillance and Enforcement team busted the illegal plant in Mombasa County on June 21, 2025.
The Coast Regional Manager, Francis Keri, confirmed that the facility had been disguising itself as a legitimate gas dealer while engaging in dangerous and criminal activities behind the scenes.
Officers found hundreds of LPG cylinders—ranging from 6kg to 13kg—bearing logos from multiple licensed gas companies. Shockingly, some cylinders had been painted over, their original markings and valves removed. Others had logos defaced and replaced to deceive consumers.
According to EPRA, this conduct violates Section 99(1)(m) of the Petroleum Act, CAP 308, which prohibits refilling or rebranding gas cylinders without written permission from the brand owners.
It also breaches Regulation 15 of the Petroleum (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) Regulations, 2019, which outlines the strict standards that refilling stations must follow to ensure safety and traceability.
“The plant operators were refilling and rebranding cylinders from multiple legitimate brands without consent. This not only violates the law but also puts innocent users at severe risk,” said Keri.
Brand Tampering and Public Risk Go Hand in Hand
The danger posed by such illegal refilling activities goes beyond brand reputation—it’s a matter of life and death. Gas cylinders that have been tampered with or refilled improperly can leak, explode, or fail to function safely.
Consumers trust branded cylinders because they believe these products meet strict safety standards. But when rogue operators manipulate the logos and repaint cylinders, they destroy that trust. EPRA’s crackdown exposed how widespread this criminal practice has become.
Tampering with valves and altering logos can compromise the structural integrity of gas cylinders. A simple leak could result in deadly fires or explosions, especially in homes and businesses that rely on LPG daily.
“This is not just about trademark infringement—it’s about reckless endangerment of the public. These criminals are playing with fire, literally,” said one officer involved in the raid.
The plant operators are now under investigation, and EPRA has vowed to pursue criminal charges against all those responsible. Meanwhile, the confiscated gas cylinders have been taken in as evidence, pending further inspection and verification by the rightful brand owners.
Previous Warnings Ignored by Rogue Dealers
The illegal plant’s exposure comes just months after EPRA issued a stern warning following feedback from Isiolo County during a Public Education and Stakeholder Engagement Forum. There, county fire department officials raised alarm over the common but dangerous practice of transporting LPG cylinders using public service vehicles (PSVs), especially in rural areas.
“Transporting gas in matatus or other non-designated vehicles puts everyone at risk—drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. It only takes one small leak to cause a catastrophe,” EPRA had warned.
Yet, despite these clear warnings, some traders continue to bypass safety regulations in pursuit of quick profits. These recent findings in Mombasa show that illegal refilling and unsafe transportation are part of a growing black-market operation that thrives on public ignorance and regulatory loopholes.
EPRA emphasized that its multi-agency teams are not relenting. “We remain firmly committed to ensuring compliance with the law and safeguarding the lives of Kenyans. All individuals and businesses found culpable will face the full force of the law,” the agency stated.
