The Energy and Petroleum Authority (Epra) is taking steps to tighten the grip on suspects involved in crimes within the energy sector. To enhance the prosecution of offenders, Epra's Director General, Daniel Kiptoo, has requested the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the secondment of five officers to work specifically with Epra. This request comes after the realization that suspects in the energy industry have been able to navigate through legal proceedings easily due to a lack of dedicated prosecutors knowledgeable about the sector.
In a recently disclosed letter, Mr Kiptoo expressed concerns about delays in prosecuting cases related to the energy sector, allowing suspects to obtain court orders for the release of evidence. The urgency for a dedicated team of prosecutors aligns with the need to expedite legal processes, thus strengthening the collaborative efforts aimed at upholding the rule of law within the industry. The gas explosion incident in Embakasi, resulting in fatalities and injuries, raised questions about Epra's effectiveness in apprehending suspects, successful prosecution, and the prevention of similar crimes in the future.
Epra's rejection of three license applications for a gas plant in Embakasi, followed by the subsequent illegal operation and explosion, has underscored the challenges faced by the regulator in ensuring the safety of the public. To combat issues like illegal gas refilling and unauthorized transportation of petroleum products, Epra had implemented stringent rules in 2019 to regulate the cooking gas sector. However, the existence of unauthorized facilities and accidents like the one in Embakasi point to the continued need for stronger enforcement and prosecution measures to safeguard citizens and property in Kenya.