President William Ruto has cautioned against illegal refilling of gas cylinders and urged the government to ensure that all gas refillers are registered and licensed. He warned that some of the illegal refillers pretend to have filled a 6kg gas cylinder, but in reality, it contains only 3kgs, thereby endangering the lives of Kenyans. Ruto called on the relevant ministries to take action to ensure that certified cooking gas is available in the country, and promised to allocate funds to lower the prices of cooking gas. He noted that 70% of women in Kenya use firewood for cooking, which is hazardous to their health, and urged the government to eliminate taxes on cooking gas to promote its use over wood fuel.
“Bei ya gas itapungua kwa sababu tutaondoa ile kodi yote imewekwa kwa mambo ya gas (The cost of gas will reduce because we will do away with the tax levied on the same),” he said.
The President said the deduction on the cost of gas will result in health safety for Kenyans and restoration of the environment by reducing the number of trees fallen 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.
