The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, has warned the former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, against shielding cartels benefiting from illegal LPG trade across the country.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

This warning comes just hours after Gachagua made explosive remarks about the harassment of LPG traders on Wednesday, August 26, with CS Wandayi assuring Kenyans that the government will not bow to pressure from politicians and businesspeople profiting from illegal gas dealings, regardless of who backs them.

“I wish to further assure the public that the government will not succumb to pressure from politicians and cartels helping to benefit from LPG illicit trade,” CS Wandayi stated.

He made it clear that even if unscrupulous traders choose to align themselves with Gachagua, the state will not relent in pursuing them in the interest of public safety.

📌 What You Need to Know

“We shall not succumb to any form of pressure from these unscrupulous businesspersons, from these illegal traders, even if they choose to work in cahoots with Mr Gachagua," CS Wandayi added.

The CS cautioned anyone involved in illegal LPG trade or unauthorised cylinder refilling that the hour of reckoning is fast approaching for them.

According to Wandayi, officers will pursue offenders vigorously, with enforcement teams working relentlessly to stamp out rogue operators across the sector.

Earlier, Gachagua had accused the state of running a two-year campaign of harassment against small-scale gas dealers disguised as regulation.

He claimed a clandestine police unit formed in June 2025 by Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat operates from an ungazetted station in Nairobi's Hurlingham area to lead the harassment.

Gachagua alleged that the squad, allegedly guided by a private citizen and shielded from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) oversight, seized traders in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, and Machakos.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke