Cooking gas in Kenya is death in a cylinder and only time and chance prevents many from being killed by explosions.

Human error, both at manufacture and use of the cylinders, can contribute to increased chances of deadly explosions.

While many have died from such explosions, many more have sustained serious injuries that have incapacitated them for life.

Death in a cylinder

In June this year, 1 person died while two others seriously injured in a gas explosion in Mlolongo, Machakos County.

The incident occurred when some mechanics were offloading gas cylinders from a truck. One of the gas cylinders exploded during the exercise.

While some are not lucky in such situation,  in April 2018, a gas cylinder exploded in a house in Mathare North injuring at least 15 people.

The explosion led to electricity cables catching fire further spreading it to four other houses on the third floor of the building.

In addition to the burns that the victims suffered, they also lost property while some were incapacitated and had to be hospitalised.

2 children in Narok Town died on the spot after a gas cylinder exploded in their house in July 2018. Seven other family members suffered serious burns in in the incident.

Survivors who sustained more than 70% degree burns were taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialised treatment.

Witnesses said that the family had just ordered a new gas cylinder but connections left the cylinder regulator loose leading to a leak which became fatal.

Gas cylinder manufacturers, suppliers

While the victims survived, nothing was said about the gas cylinder supplier or the company that manufactured it.

While it is a high stakes risk, gas explosions are not a game. Manufacturers use the foul smell for ease of detecting gas leaks. Some cases are, however, unavoidable. This is in cases where mistakes by users lead to explosions.

That aside, how many Kenyans know how to authenticate the cooking gas cylinders they use?

For the longest time, none of the companies selling LPG have given users a way of knowing if their products are genuine or not.

The only solace and guarantee that Kenyans have is in purchasing the cooking gas from ‘authorised dealers’ or from petrol stations.

While corruption has permeated every strata of the society, it is no guarantee then that the gas from these trusted dealers or petrol stations has not been tampered with.

Even when it comes to quantity, the dealers have scales to weigh but the cooking gas only lasts so long.

Gas cylinder authentication

Changing tides are coming with the likes of Total Kenya where any LPG cylinder bought from them can be authenticated.

By providing customers with a toll free number to call or text, the company is instilling a sense of security and trust in its cooking gas business.

The canisters come with a code where the customer scratches and sends it to the toll free number for authentication.

This comes even as the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) says that it is enforcing regulations in the sector over ‘increased public safety concerns’.

In June 2019, the regulator announced new rules abolishing the exchange pool while also seeking to ensure that users are safe.

With the regulations, marketers have the responsibility of ensuring that gas cylinders are safe and will be answerable in case of any incidents.

The marketers will among others compensate victims of any accidents caused by gas leaks.