How to Get an EPRA Gas License in Kenya: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Starting a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) business in Kenya is one of the most lucrative retail or wholesale ventures today. With clean energy adoption rising fast across both urban and rural households, demand for gas refills and new cylinder sets is at an all-time high.

However, because LPG is a highly flammable substance, the sector is strictly regulated to protect public safety and prevent illegal refilling operations. To operate legally, you must obtain a license from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). Running an LPG business without this license can lead to business closure, heavy fines, or even arrest.

This comprehensive, step-by-step guide breaks down everything you need to know about EPRA gas license requirements, costs, application procedures via the online portal, and practical compliance tips to get your business certified quickly.

Classes of EPRA LPG Licenses: Which One Do You Need?

Before logging into the portal, you need to understand which category your business falls under. EPRA categorizes LPG licenses based on your position in the supply chain:

Note: For most small to medium-sized business owners starting out in estates or commercial hubs, the LPG Retail License is the standard requirement.

Step-by-Step EPRA Gas License Requirements

To ensure a smooth approval process, you must gather all required documentation before starting your application. EPRA requires proof of business legality, location safety, and physical compliance.

1. Legal & Company Registration Documents

• Certificate of Incorporation or Business Name Registration: Issued by the Business Registration Service (BRS) via eCitizen.
• CR12 Form: (For limited companies) An official document listing the directors of the company and their shareholding details.
• KRA PIN Certificates: Both the Company’s KRA PIN and the individual KRA PIN certificates for all registered directors.
• National IDs/Passports: High-quality, scanned color copies of the identification documents of the business owners/directors.

2. County Government & Location Approvals

• Valid Single Business Permit: Issued by your respective County Government (e.g., Nairobi City County, Mombasa County, etc.) for your specific business premises.
• County Fire Clearance Certificate: Proof that your premises have been inspected by the county fire department and deemed safe.

3. Physical Safety & Equipment Requirements

During the review, EPRA inspectors will visit your location to check for the following mandatory safety assets:

• Certified Weighing Scale: A mechanical or digital weighing scale stamped and approved by the Department of Weights and Measures. This is legally required so customers can verify they are getting the exact weight of gas they pay for.
• Fire Extinguishers: At least one or two serviced 9kg Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) fire extinguishers mounted accessibly within the shop.
• Mandatory Safety Signage: Clear, visible signs placed outside and inside the premises displaying warning messages such as “NO SMOKING”, “NO NAKED FLAMES”, and “ZIMA SIMU” (Switch off mobile phones).
• Proper Ventilation: If operating an indoor retail shop, the storage area must be exceptionally well-ventilated, preferably with open-grill metal doors to prevent gas accumulation in case of a slow valve leak.

How to Apply via the EPRA Portal: The Practical Walkthrough

Once your documents are scanned into PDF format and your shop is physically set up with safety gear, follow this technical walkthrough to submit your application:

Step 1: Account Creation on the EPRA Portal

1. Visit the official EPRA Licensing Portal via your web browser.
2. Click on “Register” to create a new user account.
3. Fill in your user profile details, ensuring you select “Company/Business” as the entity type. Verify your account via the email confirmation link sent to you.

Step 2: Initiate a New Application

1. Log into the portal using your new credentials.
2. Navigate to the dashboard and click on “New Application”.
3. From the drop-down menu of regulatory sectors, select “Petroleum” and then choose the specific class relevant to your venture (e.g., Application for a License to Retail LPG in Cylinders).

Step 3: Fill in Business Details & Upload Documents

1. Enter your exact physical location coordinates, plot number, building name, and contact details.
2. Upload the scanned PDF versions of your Certificate of Incorporation, CR12, KRA PINs, Single Business Permit, Fire Clearance, and Weights & Measures certificate into their respective document slots.

Step 4: Submit and Await Site Inspection

1. Review your entry for typos or missing attachments, then click “Submit”.
2. Your application status will change to “Under Review”.
3. EPRA compliance officers from your local regional office will contact you within a few days to schedule a physical site inspection to verify your safety signage, fire equipment, weighing scale, and overall shop compliance.

Step 5: License Generation

1. If the inspectors find your premises fully compliant, they will approve the application on their internal system.
2. Your status will update to “Approved”, and your digital, printable EPRA license will be generated directly within your portal account.

Cost of an EPRA LPG License in Kenya

There is a major misconception among new entrepreneurs regarding the costs involved.

💡 The Facts: EPRA does not charge any application or processing fees for a standard LPG Retail License. The digital license itself is issued completely free of charge.

Key requirements call for budgeting for the indirect compliance costs required to legally clear the application. These roughly include:

• County Single Business Permit: Retail shop permits range between Ksh 5,000 and Ksh 15,000 annually, depending on your county and zone.
• County Fire Clearance Certificate: Typically ranges between Ksh 3,000 and Ksh 4,500.
• Certified Weighing Scale: Purchasing an approved scale and getting it stamped by the Department of Weights and Measures costs roughly Ksh 8,000 to Ksh 15,000.
• 9kg DCP Fire Extinguishers: Approximately Ksh 3,500 to Ksh 5,000 per cylinder.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I refill gas cylinders inside my retail shop?

A: Absolutely not. Retailing only permits you to perform a one-for-one exchange of pre-filled cylinders belonging to licensed brand owners. “Decanting” (the process of manually transferring gas from a large cylinder into a smaller 6kg or 13kg cylinder using a pipe) inside a retail shop is highly dangerous, illegal, and carries severe criminal penalties under Kenyan law.

Q: How long does it take for an EPRA license to be approved?

A: On average, the process takes between 14 to 30 days. The timeline depends heavily on how accurately your documents were uploaded and how fast you host the EPRA compliance team for your physical site inspection.

Q: What is the penalty for selling gas without an EPRA license?

A: Operating without a license carries severe legal penalties. Under the Energy Act, illegal operators face business closure, forfeiture of all commercial cylinder stock to the state, and substantial statutory fines starting from Ksh 10 million or imprisonment for individuals found running illegal filling plants.

Ready to Launch Your Gas Business?