Eldoret: The Energy, Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has conducted a two-day training for stakeholders in the North Rift region to sensitize them as part of the Kaa Safe Mtaani campaign aimed at raising awareness on safety and regulatory standards around the use of LPG, electricity, and petroleum products. The Deputy Director of Public Education and Advocacy in the North Rift region, Ann Kiprotich, highlighted that the campaign was initiated due to increasing accidents and incidents in the sector, such as petroleum tanker rollovers and the dangerous practice of Kenyans rushing to scoop fuel.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kiprotich, in an interview during the training held in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, emphasized that Kaa Safe Mtaani is a national multi-stakeholder campaign involving industry experts, consumers, youth-led groups, and women groups, focusing on safety as a critical pillar. Following the launch of Kaa Safe Mtaani in April, the Authority has already extended the campaign to other regions, including Machakos, Nyeri, and Isiolo, to cover various parts of the country.
EPRA, being mandated to conduct economic and technical regulation of the sector, stresses enhancing safety in the use of electricity, petroleum, and LPG products. Kiprotich mentioned that through the National LPG Growth Strategy, the government aims to increase consumption and expand LPG uptake as a clean cooking method at both household and institutional levels. The strategy, which is in its initial stages, also advocates transitioning learning institutions to using LPG instead of firewood, with around 11,000 institutions piloted.
Kiprotich urged the public to adopt LPG safely and highlighted basic safety measures, such as buying LPG cylinders from licensed dealers, ensuring they are weighed correctly, and insisting on getting a receipt to track and trace cylinders in case of issues. The campaign also focuses on building awareness about replacing LPG hoses every three years to prevent leaks and accidents.
The Deputy Director noted the importance of energy efficiency in household appliances to manage electricity bills effectively. The public is encouraged to report any incidents related to LPG, petroleum, and electricity through the provided contact details to enhance compliance.
Kiprotich recalled that in 2024, the Authority shut down 49 non-compliant LPG plants, with over 20 percent of LPG sold being illegally refilled, posing a significant explosion risk. Reports by EPRA indicate persistent risks in Kenya's energy sector due to illegal practices and weak compliance, citing incidents like the Embakasi explosion and unsafe petroleum stations.
In the electricity sector, fatalities increased to 153 by June 2024, up from 116 the previous year, predominantly due to poor safety culture and faulty infrastructure. Kiprotich emphasized the need for community champions to promote safety and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, stressing that safety is a mandatory commitment for all Kenyans.