Nairobi, March 22 -- The energy regulator is pushing for a dedicated team of State prosecutors to handle crimes in the sector as it moves to tighten the noose on suspects involved in various offences in the industry.

Energy and Petroleum Authority (Epra) Director General, Daniel Kiptoo, last month wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) asking for five officers to be seconded to Epra.

Mr Kiptoo said suspects in the energy sector have had an easy way in courts due to a lack of prosecutors dedicated to the segment.

The letter came weeks after three people were killed and scores of others injured in a gas explosion in an illegal refilling facility in Nairobi's Embakasi area.

Crimes involving petroleum products such as illegal ...