Ruto Pledges to Reduce Cost of Cooking Gas to Sh300 by June

President Ruto has announced plans by his administration to cut the cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by more than half by June.

Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the Women Enterprise Fund and the second product of the Hustler Fund at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Ruto promised that it will cost between Sh300 and Sh500 to refill a six-kilogram gas cylinder, down from the current average of Sh1,200.

“From June 2023, a 6 kg cylinder of cooking gas will cost Sh500 or Sh300,” Ruto said.

To achieve this, Ruto said the government would crack down on cartels in the gas industry who have been exploiting Kenyans with high prices.

“We want to begin to register every person who is filling gas, you must be licensed by the government of Kenya,” he added.

He also pledged to deal with the issue by increasing supply and competition in the market.

Ruto cited the opening of the newly built Taifa Gas terminal in Mombasa, which is expected to handle up to 200,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) per year. He expressed confidence that the terminal will boost the country’s energy sector and create opportunities for trade and investment in the region.

The president further noted that his administration is committed to making Kenya a regional hub for energy and trade.