Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Hon.Opiyo Wandayi addressing the media in Nairobi where he castigated former Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua for attacking public officers and law enforcement agencies for carrying their official duties .

Government Warns LPG Cartels as Crackdown on Illegal Operations Intensifies

By Fred Maingi
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to enforcing safety and regulatory standards in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector, warning that the crackdown on illegal LPG operations will be intensified until full compliance is achieved.

The Ministry says the LPG National Growth Strategy, approved by Cabinet in October 2023, seeks to promote the transition from biomass to cleaner LPG while strengthening legal and regulatory measures to curb illegal refilling and illicit trade, which pose a threat to public safety.

The LPG sector is regulated by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) under the Energy Act and Petroleum Act. The Petroleum (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) (No. 2) Regulations, 2025, require LPG businesses to obtain the necessary operational licences and comply with licensing conditions.

The regulations also require LPG cylinders to be clearly branded, with only legitimate brand owners permitted to refill and trade in the cylinders.
The Ministry notes that EPRA works with the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to combat illegal activities in the LPG sub-sector. Where illegally refilled cylinders are confiscated, due process is followed, including inventory-taking witnessed by the relevant authorities and the operator, followed by a fair hearing before legal or administrative action is taken.
The Government is also moving to establish a central LPG cylinder tracking system to enhance transparency and accountability in the sector. The regulations require cylinders to be serialized for traceability, while procurement of the tracking system is being undertaken in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act and is far from completion.
The Ministry has further highlighted the Government’s efforts to bring LPG into the legal framework governing the common petroleum import system, following a Cabinet recommendation made in December 2024 and the subsequent publication of the Petroleum (Importation) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025.
The Ministry has urged politicians to refrain from attacking public officers and law-enforcement agencies carrying out their duties under the law.
“Government will not succumb to pressure from politicians and cartels hellbent to benefit from LPG illicit trade.”

The Ministry has assured consumers that LPG safety remains a priority and warned that enforcement against illegal LPG operations will continue until full compliance is achieved.