A Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dealer in Nyeri town was arrested on Wednesday for operating his business in unsafe premises.

The arrest was made in a crackdown carried down by Nyeri Central District Public Health office in collaboration with Provincial Administration and the police on all dealers not complying with the laid down safety measures.

Many dealers removed their gas from their premises while others kept their shops closed for fear of being arrested in an operation that took place for the better part of the day.

Speaking to The Tribune, Nyeri Central Public Health Officer, Kathuri Mithange said that last Friday, his office issued a notice to 21 gas dealers in the town ordering them to close their businesses with immediate effect.

MIthange added that on Tuesday this week, officers from his office did a follow up to establish how many dealers were still operating contrary to Public Health Act Cap. 242 which requires gas premises to have marked fire exits among other conditions.

He noted that only three LPG dealers have met the standards apart from petrol stations within the town.

The DPHO asserted that many of LPG dealers in the town combine sale of gas with other businesses like salon or retail shop.

He said according to a circular issued by Ministry of Public Health in 2009, sale of LPG gas in supermarkets and other premises located in residential houses is prohibited.