The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has proposed new requirements for fuel and cooking gas importers, exporters and transporters as part of plans to introduce mandatory online clearance of petroleum and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consignments in Kenya.
In a public notice issued on Friday, October 30, EPRA announced that it was working with the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) to integrate its services into the National Electronic Single Window System (NESWS), also known as the Trade Facilitation Platform.
Under the proposed changes, businesses involved in importing, exporting and transporting petroleum products, cooking gas and coal will be required to submit their clearance documents electronically through the government platform.
The new system will also require licensed transporters to submit their journey plans online instead of relying on the existing documentation procedures.
Additionally, EPRA officers will use the integrated platform to verify licences held by importers, exporters, transporters and drivers handling the consignments.
The authority explained that the rollout would be implemented in phases, with the first phase covering petroleum and liquefied petroleum gas consignments.
Coal consignments will also be incorporated into the system under subsequent implementation arrangements.
EPRA Announces Public Participation Meetings
Before introducing the proposed requirements, EPRA and KenTrade will hold public participation and stakeholder sensitisation forums across six regional clusters in November 2026.
The meetings will give affected businesses, traders, transporters and members of the public an opportunity to understand the new procedures, ask questions and submit their recommendations.
The scheduled meetings will take place as follows:
- November 2: Meru National Polytechnic.
- November 4: Hilton Building, Nairobi CBD.
- November 6: Sarova Whitesands, Mombasa.
- November 9: Sarova Imperial Hotel, Kisumu.
- November 11: Eldoret National Polytechnic.
- November 13: Sarova Woodlands Hotel, Nakuru.
EPRA has urged all affected stakeholders to ensure their licences and compliance documents are valid and up to date ahead of the proposed implementation.
Those wishing to submit their views and recommendations can send written memoranda to the authority through info@epra.go.ke or deliver them physically to EPRA headquarters and its regional offices.
When Will the New EPRA Rules Take Effect?
Despite announcing the proposed changes, EPRA has not yet provided a specific date when the mandatory online clearance system will take effect.
The authority clarified that the implementation date will be communicated after the completion of public participation meetings, stakeholder sensitisation and other preparatory activities.
The proposed changes are part of broader efforts to improve transparency, efficiency and regulatory compliance in Kenya’s petroleum, coal and cooking gas sectors.