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The Independent Gas Dealers Association of Kenya (IGDA) has raised concern over incessant harassment by some individuals purporting to act on behalf Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

Through their lawyer Mahmoud Gitau Jillo of AMG Jillo Advocates Company, the dealers claim EPRA has been using some persons not licensed to undertake inspections to intimidate and harass them in their business premises.

The dealers are demanding the immediate release of all property belonging to a businessperson seized by EPRA during a raid in Mlolongo, Machakos county, on February 22.

On the material day, Clive Catewayo Mutiso, an employee of Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA), armed with a loaded firearm and in the company of two unarmed persons dressed in Kenya Administration Police attire reportedly raided the said gas plant premises vandalising its offices, seizing gas cylinders, confiscating a vehicle and allegedly stole Sh 1.5 million in the plant’s cash register without a court order.

During the ‘illegal raid’, Mutiso, while brandishing a loaded firearm also allegedly assaulted an employee of the ‘licensed’ gas plant causing grievous bodily harm.

In the dated February 23 letter to the director general of EPRA, the gas dealers in the country say that Mutiso’s threats to fire the gun while waving it recklessly scared off all the employees and persons within the business premises who stood at a distance.

“Mutiso and the two persons purporting to be Administration Police Officers were left alone in the business premises,” the letter reads in sections.