Nairobi: In a bold move to combat preventable energy-related accidents, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has launched the ‘Kaa Safe Mtaani’ campaign during a groundbreaking National Stakeholders Conference, spearheaded by the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi. The event, attended by senior government officials, industrialists, and community representatives, marks the beginning of a nationwide movement to embed a culture of safety across Kenya’s energy sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, CS Wandayi reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicate unscrupulous dealers, warning that their days are numbered. Further, he urged all stakeholders to sign a pledge, forming a multi-sector coalition to drive lasting change. Wandayi revealed the government’s plans to expand clean energy use, including a national liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) strategy to distribute 300,000 subsidised cylinders to low-income households and pilot gas reticulation in Affordable Housing projects. Additionally, the CS called on all Kenyans to play their part, insisting that the campaign is not just about EPRA or the government, but about every Kenyan. He implored that energy safety starts with the citizens in their respective homes, workplaces, and community.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Energy, Alex Wachira, lamented over the 115 annual electrocution deaths, due to unsafe wiring and illegal power connections. He called on Kenyans to stop relying on uncertified electricians or ‘Kawaya,’ as they are vernacularly referred to, and instead embrace formal training programs offered through the National Industrial Training Institute (NITA). Meanwhile, Mohamed Liban and his counterpart, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Petroleum, highlighted ongoing government efforts to expand clean cooking solutions by distributing LPG to schools and low-income households. He underscored the need for pre-inspections of energy facilities and stricter zoning regulations to prevent hazardous installations in residential areas.
Also speaking at the event was the Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, who affirmed his office’s commitment in bringing to book illegal dealers in LPG and energy products, citing ongoing prosecutions linked to the Embakasi gas explosion. ‘We will prioritize these cases because energy safety directly affects lives,’ he reaffirmed. Igonga also stressed the importance of collaboration between prosecutors, EPRA, and law enforcement.
Making his remarks, EPRA’s Director General (DG), Daniel Kiptoo, spoke on the program’s goal regarding it as a national movement other than just a campaign. He disclosed that the Kaa Safe Mtaani campaign aims to educate the public on handling LPG, electricity, and petroleum safely. ‘It also seeks to raise awareness about the risks of mishandling energy products,’ added Kiptoo. Further, the DG emphasised that the program fosters collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society as he called on everyone to take action and build a culture of safety in their homes, schools, and workplaces.
In attendance, EPRA Director of Public Education, Advocacy and Consumer Protection, Cyprian Nyakundi, revealed alarming statistics where 49 non-compliant LPG plants were shut down in 2024 alone, with 153 electrical accidents, resulting in 98 fatalities, which were reported as of June last year. On the other hand, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kenya Power, Eng. Dr. Joseph Siror shared the company’s proactive approach, including 476 public safety campaigns in 2023 that contributed to a 9.3 percent reduction in electrocution incidences. Dr. Siror pledged to expand outreach efforts through partnerships with schools, churches, and community groups confidently announcing the company’s target of doing up to 500 safety campaigns this year.
Meanwhile, more political support was voiced by the Senator of Kakamega County Bonnie Khalwale, who assured the Ministry of Energy of parliamentary backing. ‘We stand with you in ensuring safer energy practices,’ assured Khalwale, as he appealed to the Senate lawmakers to support regulations that protect the public. The highlight of the conference was the official signing of the national safety pledge by key stakeholders, led by the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretaries, EPRA leadership, and energy sector CEOs. This symbolic act marked the birth of the Coalition for Safety, a multi-sector partnership aimed at fostering a culture of safety through joint public-private efforts.
The conference highlighted the urgent need for collaboration, following a series of tragic incidents, including the Embakasi gas explosion in February 2024 that claimed seven lives and injured 300 others. According to EPRA, over 20 percent of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sold in Kenya is illegally refilled, a dangerous practice contributing to deadly accidents. With a whole-of-government approach, supported by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), EPRA, and the National Government Administration, the Kaa Safe Mtaani campaign seeks to ensure Kenyans not only have access to energy but also know how to use it safely. With the Kaa Safe Mtaani 2.0 campaign in motion and a national coalition solidified, the message from EPRA is clear: safety is not just a policy; it’s a shared responsibility.