How to Spot a Genuine Gas Cylinder in Kenya (and Avoid Illegal Refills)

Kenya's LPG market has a shadow side: illegally refilled, repainted and underweight cylinders that leak, burn badly and — in the worst cases — explode. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) licenses legitimate brands for a reason. Here's how to protect your home.

1. Check the seal — never accept a broken one

Every genuine cylinder leaves the brand's plant with a tamper-proof seal carrying the brand name: Kgas, Total, Afrigas, ProGas, Hashi, Ola, Taifa, Jatel. If the seal is missing, loose, or says a different brand than the cylinder, send it back. At PataGas our riders present the sealed cylinder and open it in front of you.

2. Read the brand stamp and test date

Legitimate cylinders are stamped on the collar or shroud with the brand, serial number and a requalification date. Cylinders are pressure-tested on a cycle — an unreadable or expired stamp is a red flag.

3. Watch the weight

A 13kg cylinder should weigh roughly 13kg of gas plus the tare (empty) weight stamped on it. Underfilled cylinders are the most common scam in the trade — unscrupulous sellers top up with cheaper, dirty mixes. Buy from sellers who will let you verify.

4. Beware the "too cheap" refill

If a refill costs far below every major brand's street price, ask yourself what's inside. Illegal decanting — transferring gas cylinder-to-cylinder in open air — is how contaminated, leaking gas reaches kitchens.

5. Buy from EPRA-licensed, traceable sellers

A receipt, a registered business, a phone number that gets answered. PataGas sells genuine, factory-sealed cylinders only across all major brands — browse our refill catalogue and compare for yourself. And if you're unsure about the cylinder already in your kitchen, our LPG safety inspection brings a certified technician to your door to check the cylinder, regulator, hose and connections.

Cheap gas is expensive. Order sealed, weighed and warranted refills at shops.co.ke/patagas — the same PataGas you've trusted at patagas.com.