The government plans to increase liquefied petroleum gas consumption from the current 6.5 kilograms to 15 kilograms per capita in the next three years.
Speaking during the Petroleum Institute of East Africa and World Liquid Gas Association Africa LPG Summit in Mombasa, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria said that in the last decade, LPG consumption has more than doubled, with the number of people using it as a primary cooking fuel increasing by close to 10 million.
Kuria said that the government has also rolled out a plan to help more than 4 million people using kerosene and charcoal transition to clean cooking.
He said the Kenya energy strategy plans to transition the country into a clean energy hub, by helping 50 percent of the population migrate to liquefied petroleum gas as a clean cooking solution.
“The strategy has so far focused on reducing the cost of the commodity and increasing its use among lower-income Kenyans,” he added.
The CS said that the government is committed to increasing LPG consumption in the country using various incentives.
He said the government plans to provide Kenyans with subsidized 6kg cylinders which enable low-income households across the country to buy the commodity at a subsidized rate.
He re-emphasized on the need to transition to LPG as the cheaper and greener cooking solution which will ensure employment creation.
He stressed the need for collective efforts by both the public and private sector players in developing robust strategies and creating awareness on the benefits of LPG.
The meeting further highlighted the major challenges affecting LPG industry players which are import constraints and thriving illegal filling stations.
By Chari Suche
