Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi defends government's LPG crackdown amid Rigathi Gachagua's harassment claims
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has defended the government's enforcement operations in the liquefied petroleum gas LPG sector, stating they are lawful and aim to curb illegal refilling and illicit trade. This comes after Democracy for the Citizens Party DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua accused the government of harassing small-scale gas traders. Gachagua alleged that a clandestine police unit, formed by Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, seized over 200,000 gas cylinders from retailers across multiple counties between June and October 2025 without due process. He claimed these cylinders were channeled to private LPG enterprises linked to politicians and state actors. Wandayi, however, insisted that all enforcement activities follow the Petroleum Liquefied Petroleum Gas No. 2 Regulations, 2025, which require valid operating licenses and proper cylinder branding. He affirmed that when cylinders are confiscated, due process is followed, including inventory taking witnessed by the Authority, police, and the operator. Wandayi also stated that the government would not yield to pressure from politicians and cartels seeking to profit from illicit LPG trade, vowing to intensify the crackdown until full compliance is achieved. He confirmed that a cylinder tracking system is under development and that LPG was included in the common petroleum import framework in December 2024.
