Nairobi, November 1 – The government has announced a change to its earlier plan to provide free gas cylinders to vulnerable households, saying the cylinders will instead be sold at subsidised prices. The initial pledge, made during the clean energy rollout and highlighted in President William Ruto’s 2022 campaign, was to give out the cylinders at no cost to low-income families.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Energy on Monday, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General Daniel Kiptoo explained that the shift is meant to keep the programme sustainable and prevent the misuse of public funds. He said the aim is to make LPG both affordable and safe rather than fully free.
“Our goal is affordability and safety. The subsidy allows broader access while ensuring the programme remains viable,” Kiptoo told the committee.
Kiptoo also noted that the government has intensified a national crackdown on illegal gas dealers and counterfeit cylinders to protect consumers from unsafe refilling practices that could lead to explosions. Enforcement teams have been deployed across the country, with several unlicensed plants raided and hundreds of fake cylinders seized. He said the operation will continue in more regions.
He emphasised that ensuring all cylinders in circulation are genuine is critical for public safety. He also briefed lawmakers on ongoing regulatory measures in the LPG sector, as senators sought further clarification on safety standards, seizure of illegal cylinders, and EPRA’s wider strategy to restore order in the market.
According to Kiptoo, the agency has stepped up surveillance following a rise in unlawful refilling sites operating without proper licensing.
