The national government plans to conduct a crack down on non-compliant LPG gas facilities across the country, among other measures, to ensure the safety of Kenyans and compliance in the sector.
This comes following the LPG gas explosion in Mradi Area, Embakasi on Thursday evening that led to the death of three people and injured 280 others.
Cabinet secretaries for interior and energy ministries, Kithure Kindiki and Davis Chirchir, have outlined various measures the government will take to ensure the safety of Kenyans and compliance among industry players.
In a joint statement, the ministries have revealed a partnership with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to sustain compliance in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector.
- The collaboration will prioritize demolition of all illegal sites and conduct fresh risk assessment for all LPG plants in the country and close all non-compliant sites.
- The government also plans to immediately roll out LPG growth strategy that includes the development and implementation of a track and trace framework for LPG cylinders to enhance traceability and accountability.
- The efforts will also see the application of punitive administrative measures to all LPG operators found filling cylinders without the written authority of the brand owners.
- The government intends to also strengthen the LPG data verification framework to enhance accountability by industry players.
- Enhanced public awareness and sensitization programs will be conducted to promote LPG safety. The government shall hold nationwide LPG stakeholder workshops to strengthen the policy and regulatory framework in the sector.
In an interview, EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo disclosed that a raid at the company which owns the Embakasi facility where an explosion occurred on Thursday found them conducting illegal activities of filling other brand owners’ cylinders.
What caused the explosion in Embakasi?
Preliminary findings of investigations looking into the Embakasi gas explosion indicated that the refilling of LPG cylinders was done using direct manifold connection to the LPG tanker increasing the risk of leakage and explosion.
A security guard of the facility was also arrested following the investigation into the fire incident that left scores injured and properties destroyed.
EPRA has also demolished more than 10 illegal sites in the recent past according to the statement by Kindiki and Chirchir.
Was the Embakasi LPG gas facility licensed?
Twice, in March 2020 and January 2021, the illegally constructed plant in Mradi Area, Embakasi was demolished by EPRA and operators charged in court.
A statement from EPRA on the explosion revealed that license applications to construct the LPG facility at Mradi Area, Embakasi were rejected three times, as they did not meet the set criteria for an LPG storage and filling plant in that area.
The applications were received by EPRA on March 19, June 20, and July 31, 2023.
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