The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has announced plans to introduce a new online clearance system for coal, petroleum and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consignments entering and leaving the country.
The proposed system, which will be implemented in collaboration with the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade), will require importers, exporters, transporters and other stakeholders handling the products to register on the Kenya National Electronic Single Window System (KNESWS).
In a public notice issued on Friday, October 30, EPRA said the platform would be used to process and clear consignments at border points as part of efforts to improve efficiency, transparency and regulatory compliance.
The system, also known as the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), is being introduced in line with a Cabinet directive requiring all government services to be integrated into the National Electronic Single Window System.
“The Authority, in collaboration with KenTrade, has begun the onboarding of EPRA services onto the KNESWS, also known as the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), as part of ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency, transparency and compliance with the regulation of Coal, Petroleum and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in consistent with the law,” the notice stated.
Under the proposed changes, importers, exporters, transporters and other stakeholders handling coal, petroleum and LPG consignments will be required to register on the platform.
Licensing and permitting processes will also transition to the digital system, with stakeholders required to submit journey plans electronically.
EPRA officers will use the integrated platform to verify the validity of licences issued to importers, exporters, transporters and drivers in accordance with the Petroleum Act, Cap 308, and its subsidiary legislation.
The authority has consequently advised affected businesses to ensure their licences and other compliance documents are valid and up to date ahead of the rollout.
“Stakeholders are advised to ensure that all applicable licenses and related compliance documentation are valid and up to date in preparation for the proposed rollout and subsequent submissions through the platform,” EPRA stated.
However, the authority has not announced the date when the system will become mandatory, saying the effective date will be communicated after stakeholder consultations and preparatory activities are completed.
As part of preparations for the new system, EPRA and KenTrade will conduct regional stakeholder sensitisation and public participation forums beginning November 2, 2026.
The meetings will provide importers, exporters, transporters, licensees and other stakeholders with an opportunity to understand the proposed clearance procedures, requirements and timelines.
Members of the public will also be allowed to raise questions, submit comments and make recommendations before implementation. The first meeting will cover the Lower Eastern and Central regions on November 2 at the Kenya National Polytechnic in Nairobi.
A second forum covering the North Eastern and Coast regions will be held on November 4 at the Hilton Building in Nairobi’s Central Business District. On the same day, stakeholders from the Lakes and Western regions will meet at Sarova Imperial Hotel in Kisumu CBD.
The North Rift Region meeting will take place on November 5 at Eldoret National Polytechnic, bringing together stakeholders from Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo and Turkana counties.
The final meeting will cover the South Rift Region on November 6 at Sarova Woodlands Hotel in Nakuru. It will bring together stakeholders from Nakuru, Bomet, Narok, Kericho, Nyandarua and Baringo counties.
EPRA has invited members of the public and affected stakeholders to submit their views, comments and memoranda on the proposed implementation. Written submissions can be sent through email to info@epra.go.ke or physically delivered to the authority’s headquarters in Nairobi and its regional offices.
The regional offices include the Nairobi office at Eagle Africa Centre, Upper Hill; Upper Eastern office at Seltan House in Nanyuki; Nyandarua and Western office at Lake Basin Mall in Kisumu; and North Rift office at Eldoret Daima Towers.
Other submission points are the South Rift office at Tuskys Building in Nakuru, Central Region office at KCS Plaza in Nyeri, Lower Eastern office at Mwaani Business Park in Machakos and North Eastern office at Al-Hudda Towers in Isiolo.
