Brian Mayodi
In an effort to reduce the use of wood fuel, President William Ruto has promised to remove the levy on cooking gas.
He gave Energy CS Davis Chirchir the order to get to work on making the plan a reality.
“Bei ya gas itapungua kwa sababu tutaondoa ile kodi yote imewekwa kwa mambo ya gas,” he said.
The President also stated that he wants every family in the nation to use subsidised cooking gas within the next three years.
He claimed that 70% of Kenyans, mostly women, presently cook with firewood.
Speaking on Friday in Dongo Kundu, Mombasa, at the Taifa Gas LPG terminal’s launch, Ruto added that the smoke from this has caused health problems.
According to the President, the reduction in gas prices will improve Kenyans’ health safety and help to restore the environment by decreasing the amount of trees cut down for firewood and charcoal.
“So Waziri you have the marching orders and you know what you must do so that in three years every household in Kenya has a subsidised cooking gas,” he said.
He further stated that they would investigate the expense of the cylinders to determine whether they could be provided for free or charged at a minimal cost.
Additionally, Ruto instructed the ministry to clamp down on the smuggling of gas into the nation, claiming that it is risky.
The President suggested that the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of the Interior collaborate to address the problem.
