The Ministry of Energy has disclosed plans to initiate the distribution of subsidized cooking gas cylinders to households across the country this year.
According to the commitments outlined during the ongoing government performance and delivery roadshow, the Ministry aims to distribute 60,000 cylinders to low-income households by the culmination of 2024.
Led by Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, the Ministry specified that the subsidized gas cylinders will be exclusively available in the 6kg capacity size.
Concurrently, select schools are slated to be connected to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) infrastructure within the same timeframe.
During an appearance before the National Assembly departmental Committee on Energy on September 25, 2023, Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir reiterated the commitment to supply clean cooking gas to public learning institutions.
He outlined plans to convert 300 public learning institutions to utilize clean cooking gas by providing them with LPG infrastructure and initial gas supply.
President William Ruto had previously pledged to provide subsidized gas cylinders to households in a bid to curb the use of firewood and kerosene in 2023. Notably, in October 2023, the Cabinet approved the LPG Growth Policy, eliminating taxes in the gas industry.
The proposed interventions encompass establishing common-user LPG import terminals, distributing subsidized LPG cylinders to low-income households, and promoting LPG use in institutions.
These measures, facilitated by partnerships with finance institutions, LPG players, and relevant government ministries, aim to reduce consumer prices, enhance public safety, and contribute to public health and environmental sustainability, as outlined in a Cabinet dispatch.
