Senators grill EPRA over LPG safety, illegal refilling plants
The meeting brought senators face-to-face with the regulator to review enforcement actions and discuss their impact on LPG dealers and vulnerable households.
EPRA defended its ongoing crackdown on illegal LPG refilling plants and counterfeit cylinders before the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, emphasising that consumer safety is the top priority.
The meeting, held at the authority’s Upper Hill offices on Monday, brought senators face-to-face with the regulator to review enforcement actions and discuss their impact on LPG dealers and vulnerable households.
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Director General Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, leading a team of six senior officials, told senators that the authority is intensifying nationwide operations to dismantle criminal networks and remove unsafe cylinders from circulation.
“We are committed to ensuring that every cylinder in the Kenyan market is genuine and safe for use. Eliminating illegal cylinders is not just a regulation - it is a matter of protecting lives,” Kiptoo said.
Senator Edwin Sifuna sought clarity on how safety standards are being enforced, especially as schools and other public institutions increasingly adopt LPG.
He questioned how EPRA intends to prevent disasters similar to the recent gas explosion in Embakasi.
The Director General assured the committee that strict safety protocols have been implemented and the removal of fake cylinders remains a top priority.
The discussion also addressed plans to subsidise government-issued LPG cylinders for low-income households.
Nominated Senator Veronica Maina asked why the cylinders would not be distributed for free.
Kiptoo explained that while subsidies will make the cylinders affordable, a small fee is necessary to sustain the program.
“Our goal is affordability and safety - not free distribution. The subsidy ensures access while enabling EPRA to sustain the program,” he said.
Following the meeting, senators toured EPRA’s storage facility, where seized illegal cylinders are kept in shipping containers pending legal proceedings. Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla participated virtually.
The committee will continue reviewing EPRA’s reports and monitor the progress of LPG regulatory reforms to ensure safety and compliance across the sector.
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