Government Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal LPG Trade as New Regulations Take Effect

By Bruno  Aero Family Media staff Writer

The CS Cabinet Secretary Hon Opiyo Wandayi Speaking during the Press briefing

NAIROBI, Kenya — The government has announced an intensified crackdown on illegal activities within the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector, warning traders involved in illicit refilling and unsafe practices that enforcement operations will continue until full compliance with the law is achieved.

The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum said the measures are part of efforts to implement the LPG National Growth Strategy approved by the Cabinet in October 2023, which seeks to accelerate the transition from biomass fuels to cleaner cooking energy through increased adoption of LPG.

A key focus of the strategy is strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks to eliminate illegal LPG refilling, curb illicit trade, and protect consumers from safety risks associated with unregulated operations.

The LPG sector is regulated by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) under the Energy Act and the Petroleum Act. To strengthen oversight, the government introduced the Petroleum (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) (No. 2) Regulations, 2025, through Legal Notice 189 of 2025, which was gazetted on November 14, 2025.

Under the new regulations, all businesses dealing in LPG must obtain valid operational licences and comply with strict licence conditions. The rules also require LPG cylinders to carry clear branding, with only authorised brand owners permitted to refill and trade in specific cylinders.

The government said the reforms are aimed at protecting consumers while ensuring accountability among players in the LPG value chain.

“LPG safety is paramount to the consumer, and for this reason, all players must operate within the law,” the Ministry said, adding that enforcement agencies will continue working together to eliminate illegal operations.

EPRA has been conducting enforcement operations in collaboration with the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to address cases of illegal LPG handling.

According to the authority, whenever illegally refilled cylinders are seized, due process is followed through joint inventory taking involving EPRA officials, police officers and the affected operators before any legal or administrative action is undertaken.

The new regulations also provide for the establishment of a central LPG cylinder tracking system designed to improve transparency and accountability in the sector. The system will allow authorities to monitor cylinder purchases and sales, while all cylinders will be serialized to enhance traceability.

The government clarified that procurement of the tracking system is yet to be completed and will follow the requirements of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.

The Ministry further defended the inclusion of LPG in the common petroleum import framework, noting that Kenya has successfully operated a common import system for petroleum products such as Super Petrol, Diesel and Jet A-1/Kerosene for more than two decades.

The Cabinet in December 2024 recommended extending the framework to include Heavy Fuel Oil, Bitumen and LPG, leading to the publication of the Petroleum (Importation) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, on March 21, 2025.

The government said it is engaging industry stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition and compliance with the new requirements.

The CS Energy Hon, Opiyo Wandayi

has also cautioned political leaders against interfering with lawful enforcement operations, accusing some actors of attempting to shield individuals benefiting from illegal LPG trade.

“The government will not succumb to pressure from politicians and cartels hellbent on benefiting from LPG illicit trade,” the statement said, adding that the crackdown will continue until all operators comply with safety and regulatory standards.

The enforcement drive comes as Kenya seeks to expand access to cleaner cooking energy while reducing reliance on biomass fuels, which have been linked to environmental degradation and health challenges.