Government Rolls Out More Affordable Cooking Gas in Nyandarua
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has launched a new phase of its clean cooking initiative by distributing subsidized LPG cylinders in Nyandarua County.
Ol Kalau Constituency is the latest area to benefit, with 20,000 cylinders allocated across its five wards to help local households switch to cleaner fuel options. This effort forms part of a wider push to make affordable energy accessible to more families in the country and reduce reliance on traditional cooking methods.
Principal Secretary Kello Harsama presided over the rollout, highlighting that Nyandarua becomes the sixth county to join the program. Every ward in Ol Kalau, including Kanjuiri Range, Rurii, Mirangine, Karau, and Kaimbaga, will receive support in a phased manner. Mothers and other residents at the launch event were among the first to take home cylinders, with more distributions planned in the coming months to reach additional households.
The subsidized program, known as the Mwananchi Gas Project, targets low-income families across all 47 counties. It offers 6-kilogram cylinders along with burners and grills under a shared cost model where the government and private companies each cover a significant portion, making it more sustainable than previous fully free distributions. Each cylinder includes tracking technology to ensure safety and prevent misuse.
This initiative aims to help millions of households move away from firewood, charcoal, and kerosene, which contribute to health problems and environmental damage. By expanding access in places like Nyandarua, Machakos, Kitui, and others, the government hopes to promote healthier living conditions and ease pressure on natural resources while supporting families with practical energy solutions.
