A multi-agency team led by the Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) raided a homestead in Machakos County after receiving intelligence about an illegal gas refilling site.
In a statement, EPRA revealed that its officers, in conjunction with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), conducted the raid on the afternoon of Wednesday, 19 June.
EPRA detailed that the officers discovered the owner of the homestead had established an illegal gas refilling plant.
During the operation, gas cylinders belonging to various brands were recovered.
EPRA detailed that the suspect had been refilling the cylinders without the authorisation from the respective brands.
"Yesterday at around 3 pm a multi-agency team coordinated by the Authority and comprising the DCI and the OCPD, Mwala, operating on intelligence reports raided a homestead at Utithini area, Masii Location, Mwala Sub County in Machakos County
"They also found an LPG road tanker which is unlicensed and a canter lorry which is Licensed and loaded with filled cylinders," read the statement in part.
EPRA explained that the Wednesday exercise was necessary given that such illegal sites posed risks to Kenyans.
Therefore, Kenyans with information about such sites were encouraged to file a report with the authorities.
"Such illegal refilling plants are a danger to the public and urge the public to only purchase LPG cylinders from licensed dealers.
"We urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious LPG operations through hotline number: 0709336000 or via email: info@epra.go.ke," EPRA stated.
In previous years, EPRA has closed illegal gas sites owing to safety concerns. Illegal sites usually fail to adhere to safety guidelines which proves costly.
For instance, during the Embakasi gas explosion in February, over 7 people lost their lives with others left nursing wounds.
