Ruto’s Free Gas Pledge Reversed: Kenyans to Pay After Govt U-Turn
The government has revised its plan to issue free gas cylinders to vulnerable households, announcing that the cylinders will now be sold at subsidised rates.
The decision marks a shift from President William Ruto’s 2022 campaign promise to provide free gas to low-income families as part of a clean energy initiative. EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo explained the change during a Monday briefing before the Senate Standing Committee on Energy.
“Our goal is affordability and safety, not free distribution. The subsidy ensures access while enabling EPRA to sustain the program,” Kiptoo said, noting that the move would prevent misuse of public resources.
Kiptoo also detailed the government’s intensified efforts to tackle illegal gas dealers and counterfeit LPG cylinders. Enforcement teams have been dispatched nationwide to dismantle unlicensed plants and cartels involved in unsafe refilling practices. Hundreds of fake cylinders have already been confiscated, he said.
“We are committed to ensuring that every cylinder in the Kenyan market is genuine and safe for use. Eliminating unlawful cylinders is not just regulation; it is a matter of protecting lives,” Kiptoo added.
Lawmakers raised concerns over safety, particularly in schools and public institutions, citing recent accidents such as the Embakasi explosion. Kiptoo assured the committee that enhanced monitoring and inspection standards are in place to prevent similar incidents.
Following the briefing, senators toured EPRA’s storage site, where seized illegal cylinders are kept in shipping containers pending legal action, underlining the government’s commitment to consumer safety and regulatory enforcement.
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Ruto’s Free Gas Pledge Reversed: Kenyans to Pay After Govt U-Turn