These wide-ranging measures aim to reduce consumer prices, bolster public safety, and make substantial contributions to both public health and environmental sustainability.
By EB Content Studio
A cooking gas outlet in Kasarani, Nairobi. PHOTO: EB Content Studio
The Kenyan Cabinet on October 9, 2023, endorsed the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Growth Policy during a meeting chaired by the country’s President William Ruto at Kisumu State Lodge.
Granted, the new policy directive mandates all housing developments to integrate provisions for liquefied petroleum gas reticulation infrastructure.
In a Cabinet brief, compliance with this requirement will become a prerequisite for approval of housing development projects, including those falling under the government’s Affordable Housing flagship programme.
This stipulation ensures the seamless integration of LPG usage as a fundamental element in the nation’s housing landscape. Presently, an estimated 70% of Kenyan households rely on biomass, kerosene, and other non-renewable sources for their primary cooking needs.
Accessibility
A core objective of the proposed interventions is to enhance accessibility to LPG.
This will be achieved through the establishment of common-user LPG import terminals and the distribution of subsidised LPG cylinders to low-income households.
The government will forge partnerships with finance institutions, LPG players, and the Ministries of Education and Health to encourage LPG use in institutions.
These wide-ranging measures aim to reduce consumer prices, bolster public safety, and make substantial contributions to both public health and environmental sustainability.
“These measures aim to reduce consumer prices, improve public safety and contribute to both public health and environmental sustainability,” it reads in part and further undertakes to change the energy consumption patterns in Kenyan homes and businesses.
The policy seeks a gradual transition away from these environmentally unfriendly options towards the cleaner and more efficient alternative of liquefied petroleum gas, and, thereupon, represents a fundamental shift toward securing the welfare of all households through the use of safe and cost-effective cooing gas.
Sustainable Development
Cabinet noted that the adoption of LPG as a primary cooking fuel aligns seamlessly with broader sustainable development goals.
LPG is renowned for being a cleaner-burning fuel compared to traditional biomass and kerosene, resulting in a significant reduction in harmful emissions.
The latest Cabinet decision is consistent with an earlier promise made by President Ruto’s ambitious plan to remove taxes on cooking gas in a bid to make it more affordable especially amongst low-income homes as part of transitioning to clean cooking by 2030.
In April, the government announced it was planning to lobby MPs to do away with 3 taxes to make LPG more affordable through its Finance Bill, 2023 proposals.
In the plans, the government expressed intentions to exempt cooking gas from the 8 percent Value Added Tax (VAT), the 3.5 percent Import Declaration Fees and the Railway Development Levy of 2 percent.