• John Mwangi, an engineer at Kenya’s energy and petroleum regulator, dismissed it noting the claim was not based on facts.
• He said an explosion could occur when the cylinder is subjected to external heat.
An online post claiming that if a gas cylinder is transported on a motorbike it will explode upon usage is false.
The viral post largely shared on WhatsApp groups claimed that if the gas is transported on a motorbike, it should be allowed to settle before it is fixed for domestic use.
Part of the post claimed that someone had died after the cylinder exploded on them while fixing it.
“Hi Neighbours, for guys ordering gas via boda boda riders, kindly take time to let the gas settle before connecting and using it. It's like a shaken bottle of soda before opening. Be careful to check seals and sources of gas cylinder refills,” the post read in part.
It went on, “It's been 2 days since a friend cum jirani in Senior Staff Estate had an accident at home. The wife ordered a gas cylinder via a rider and when it arrived, she immediately connected it and it exploded on her face. She had 25 per cent burns and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. She didn't make it. Hope sharing is caring and this helps.”
The Star sought to authenticate the claim.
John Mwangi, an engineer at Kenya’s energy and petroleum regulator, dismissed it noting the claim was not based on facts.
He said an explosion could occur when the cylinder is subjected to external heat.
Mwangi said liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders are designed to withstand rough treatment as they are transported along distribution channels.
He said the pressure that is contained in the gas cylinder is constant and does not change despite how it is transported.
But he added that cylinders bought from unlicensed dealers might not be safe.
“Some consumers purchase cylinders from illegal dealers and these might not be in good condition,” he said.
The Star thus finds the claim that transporting LPG gas on a motorbike could cause an explosion to be untrue.
Edited by D Tarus