The Ministry of Petroleum and Mining in collaboration with the National Oil Corporation (NOCK) has rolled out a project dubbed ‘Mwananchi LPG project’ to benefit 60,000 low income households with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders in Nairobi County.
The beneficiaries who will be drawn from households across the 11 national government administrative units will receive the 6kg LPG cylinders alongside grills and burners, whose distribution will be done by 11 firms recruited by the ministry.
Speaking on Thursday at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) during the Training of the Administration Officers on the roll-out of the Mwananchi LPG project the Secretary of Administration, Ministry of Petroleum and Mining, Mohammed Birik said that there is need to shift from wood and charcoal which contributed to environment pressure and health complications.
“This Mwananchi LPG project is set to help vulnerable people in the community who are willing and capable of refilling the cylinder,” said Birik.
He said for the project to succeed, national government administrators among them Chiefs and Sub-Chiefs would be required to act as a focal point in government operations in regard to the project.
“I would like to appreciate our administrators who continue to be very instrumental, because they are able to identify those people we cannot access or interact with,” he said.
Birik called upon the administrators to be vigilant and stand against illicit filling points that may counterfeit the cylinders in order to deceive consumers.
“The ministry is issuing a warning to administrators who will attempt to take advantage of the project and exploit Kenyans by selling cylinders at a higher price,” he added.
In her remarks Nairobi County Commissioner Flora Mworoa stressed that the project is not political, noting that no politician is entitled to fund or register any of their supporters for political gain.
“This is a government project which is meant to ensure that our people do not continue using firewood and kerosene which are hazardous not only to their health but also the environment,” said Mworoa.
She assured the ministry that her team of administrators are committed to ensuring that the project is a success.
Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs from 11 sub-counties who underwent a LPG quick training on Thursday are expected to support the government by identifying beneficiaries, keeping records and coordinating the last mile distribution of the cylinders.
By Teresa Rurigi and Mwereza Sorotina
