ERC raises red flag over fake gas cylinders in the market

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has raised a red flag over increasing of substandard gas cylinders sold to Kenyans across the country.

ERC CEO Joe Ng’ang’a says the commission is concerned that illegal gas filling stations are exposing Kenyans to disasters if they are not regulated.

Speaking in a Mombasa hotel, Ng’ang’a said that they are currently working with different stakeholders to deal with counterfeit gas that poses risks on lives of users.

This comes only a few weeks after Anti-Counterfeit Agency Board chairman Polycarp Igathe said that almost 80 percent of gas in the market is fake.

Igathe had said that in other instances when consumers buy a 13 kgs of a certain gas brand it turns out to be only 10 kgs when weighed hence need to carryout regular raids to shut down those gas stations operating illegally.

He said Kenyans use about 100,000 tonnes of LPG annually way below the potential market of 600,000 tonnes since the energy sector is not well regulated.

The ERC chair has also urged Kenyans to stop encroaching oil supply pipes saying it endangers their lives and the environment.