Milimani Law Courts has released a businessman accused of illegally refilling other brands' LPG cylinders without permission on a cash bail of Kes 2 million and an alternative bond of Kes 5 million.
The owner of City Gas, Adan Hassan, was charged afresh with illegally refilling gas cylinders of various brands, in violation of the Petroleum Act of 2019.
In the case, which began in 2021, the businessman entered a guilty plea before Milimani Magistrate Esther Kimilu and was fined Kes .30,000.
However, the Petroleum Institute of East Africa moved to the high court to revise the judgment, saying the businessman's actions were illegal.
In two more cases of a similar nature before the High Court, the Kes 30,000 fine was changed to Kes 10 million with a five-year jail sentence as a backup.
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Citi Gas informed the court that they were unaware that a lower court had issued an order resentencing Citi Gas's director.
They added that they were ignorant of the high court's rulings and review, which increased the penalties to Kes 10 million or five years in jail.
A warrant for the accused's arrest was issued on January 8.
After being taken into custody on January 26, he was charged with a crime and asked the court to overturn the High Court's decision while also requesting bail.
Investigators say the businessman refilled multiple gas cylinders belonging to various companies at a depot on Lunga Lunga Road in the Industrial Area.
The matter will come up for mention on April 25, with the court expected to give direction on the High Court ruling and further directions of the trial court.
This comes a few weeks after a lorry loaded with LPG gas cylinders exploded in Mradi village in Embakasi constituency leaving six people dead and 300 others injured.
