The Ministry of Energy has introduced a gas cylinder subsidy programme that will see households buy cooking gas cylinders and other accessories at lower prices.

The “Gas Yetu” initiative will be rolled out through the state-owned national oil company and will see consumers purchase a complete 6kg gas cylinder at Sh 2000 down from Sh 5000 while refill of the same will be Sh 900 at licensed Gas Yetu retail outlets.

The initiative is aimed to protect the environment by cutting over-reliance on firewood and kerosene in poor households by providing an alternative and affordable source of fuel.

The Sh 3.1 billion Gas Yetu initiative has already been piloted in Machakos and Kajiado counties.

In the 2016/2017 budget, the Treasury reduced the import duty on energy efficient stoves with similar stoves and cookers that use gas, electricity and other fuels from 25% to 10% and CS Rotich proposed the amendment of the VAT Act in order to exempt liquefied petroleum gas from payment of VAT.

FUEL PRICES SOAR

Motorists will, however, have to dig deeper in their pockets as at the weekend the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced increased prices for petrol and diesel.

The price of super petrol was increased by Sh 3.37 while that of diesel and kerosene surged by Sh 1.85 and Sh 1.82 respectively.

The latest increase in fuel prices comes only a month after the ERC increased the price of Super Petrol by Sh 2.22 per litre, diesel by Sh 1 and kerosene by Sh 0.94.

Kenya’s average monthly inflation rate stands at 9.31 percent.