Kenya recorded a notable increase in cooking gas consumption in 2024, rising by 15per cent as more households moved away from traditional fuels like kerosene, which saw a significant decline of 32 per cent, according to fresh data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The report indicates that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage reached 414,880 metric tonnes by December 2024, compared to 360,590 metric tonnes the previous year.
Meanwhile, kerosene consumption fell from 54,620 metric tonnes in 2023 to 37,120 metric tonnes in 2024, signaling a growing shift towards cleaner energy sources.
Despite fluctuating gas prices—where a thirteen-kilogramme refill hit a peak of Sh3,300 in April 2024 before dropping below Sh3,000—LPG adoption continued to grow. Over the last decade, its consumption has surged by one hundred and seventy-seven per cent, rising from 150,000 metric tonnes in 2014 to its current levels.
This shift can be attributed to past regulatory changes, such as the 2009 LPG regulations, which initially allowed consumers to refill gas at any outlet, fostering convenience. However, concerns over illegal refilling led to the system’s overhaul.
The increasing preference for LPG also stems from its reputation as a clean cooking alternative, offering a safer option compared to fuels like charcoal, kerosene, and firewood, which contribute to indoor air pollution.
However, a significant portion of the population still depends on firewood (55 per cent) and charcoal (12 per cent) for cooking, as per data from the Energy Ministry.
The government has set a target of universal access to clean cooking by 2028, with plans to distribute subsidised gas cylinders and equip public institutions such as schools and hospitals with LPG infrastructure.
However, challenges such as funding constraints and concerns over cylinder quality have slowed progress.
To make LPG more accessible, the Finance Act 2023 eliminated the eight per cent VAT previously imposed on cooking gas, reducing costs for consumers. The petroleum sector has also explored consolidating cooking gas imports, similar to how other petroleum products were previously handled under the Open Tender System (OTS). However, the Government-to-Government system has since replaced OTS, and limited storage capacity—especially with major facilities being privately owned—remains a hurdle.
As Kenya continues to promote clean energy, the focus will be on addressing these challenges while ensuring affordable and reliable access to LPG for households nationwide.
