The Government of Kenya has taken a major step in its clean cooking agenda by inviting local firms to manufacture subsidised LPG cylinders. The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum announced a new programme targeting 6kg cylinders under a cost-sharing model.
The government will cover 40 per cent of the cost, LPG marketing firms another 40 per cent, and consumers just 20 per cent. The move aims to increase access to clean cooking energy in rural and peri-urban areas where LPG penetration remains very low.
The Big Push for Subsidised LPG Cylinders
The State Department for Petroleum confirmed that the programme will reach all 47 counties, with a preference for rural and peri-urban regions. These are areas where many families still rely on firewood and charcoal, which are harmful to health and the environment.
The Ministry said the LPG cylinders will be manufactured locally and distributed under frameworks aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). By producing cylinders locally, the government hopes to cut costs, create jobs, and strengthen local industry.
The plan is designed to remove the financial barriers that have locked many households out of clean cooking solutions. The government’s contribution will go toward the cost of the cylinder, seed gas, and accessories. LPG marketing companies will add burners, grills, and other items needed to use the cylinders immediately.
Consumers will only pay 20 per cent of the cost, which will be treated as a deposit. This reduces upfront costs, making clean energy affordable for more Kenyans.
Accountability and Safety Measures
To prevent misuse, the cylinders will come fitted with track-and-trace technology overseen by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). This will improve safety, monitor distribution, and ensure proper refilling.
LPG marketing companies will act as brand owners. They will be responsible for refilling, servicing, and maintaining the cylinders according to the Petroleum (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) Regulations, 2025. This guarantees that users receive safe and compliant products every time they refill.
The Ministry stressed that only prequalified LPG cylinder manufacturers will be allowed to take part. Interested firms must demonstrate their technical capacity, experience, and facilities to meet the government’s requirements. This strict vetting process aims to ensure only capable firms join the programme.
A Step Toward Fulfilling Promises
The push for subsidised LPG cylinders ties directly to President William Ruto’s 2022 campaign pledge to make gas affordable for all Kenyans. During his campaign, Ruto promised to provide gas cylinders to households, particularly in rural areas.
In 2023, the President added that cylinders would sell at between Ksh300 and Ksh500 by June that year. That promise is yet to be realised, leaving many Kenyans waiting. For millions in low and middle-income households, free or affordable cylinders have remained a distant dream.
The new programme offers renewed hope. By sharing costs among the government, LPG marketers, and consumers, the plan makes access to clean cooking energy more realistic. It also signals that the government is finally moving to implement its promises, even though later than expected.
If successful, the programme will not only reduce reliance on dirty fuels but also ease the burden on households struggling with high energy costs. For rural and peri-urban families, the subsidised cylinders could finally make clean cooking a reality.
