Government vows to intensify war on illegal gas refilling
CRACKDOWN: The government vowed yesterday to fully implement the raft of tough measures aimed at controlling illegal refilling gas centres that robs the government of millions of shillings in revenue.
A team of officers has heightened operations to kick out illegal operators by incorporating Petroleum Institute of East Africa to protect the interests of multinational petroleum companies that are the major victims of the illicit trade.
The multi-agency team comprises officers from Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Director of Fichua Uhalifu at DCI David Chebii rubbished claims by the Energy Dealers Association (EDA) that they are being harassed and extorted through the operation.
Handling cylinders
Chebii, a Superintendent of Police said the government is committed towards full implementation of the Petroleum (Liquefied Petroleum) regulations of 2019, which prohibit LPG marketers from handling cylinders owned by rival players, among other measures.
He said the government has also tightened laws to regulate the sector in order to effectively deal with the illegal trade that sees the government lose billions of shillings.
“Other than ensuring that these people operating illegal gas refilling centres, popularly known as mashimo remit taxes to KRA, we are also out to ensure the safety of the public because some of these facilities are operated in residential areas,” Chebii said in a statement.
Early this month, EDA wrote to the Inspector General of Police accusing the police of allegedly harassing and extorting them through the crack.
The association through its secretary general Kepher Odongo had demanded the immediate release of all vehicles, equipment and gas cylinders being held by the DCI.
However Chebii defended the team involved in the crackdown, and instead accused EDA of harbouring individuals involved in the illicit trade.
