OL KALOU, Kenya- The government has launched a subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) programme in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County, targeting 20,000 households with complete cooking kits as part of its clean cooking initiative.
The rollout comes just days before the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, where the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is seeking to retain the seat.
The launch was led by former Senior Economic Advisor Moses Kuria alongside Petroleum Principal Secretary Kello Harsama, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira and Blue Economy Principal Secretary Betsy Muthoni.
20,000 households to benefit
Under the programme, each beneficiary household will receive a six-kilogramme LPG cylinder, burner and grill at a subsidised cost of Sh1,500, significantly lower than the estimated retail price of about Sh5,500.
Harsama said Nyandarua had become the sixth county to benefit from the national LPG rollout, with Ol Kalou becoming the county’s first constituency and among the first nine constituencies nationally to implement the programme.
He said the initiative forms part of the government’s wider plan to increase access to affordable clean cooking energy for low-income households.
The programme aligns with the government’s broader target of expanding access to LPG as an alternative to firewood and charcoal.
The launch was held at the Nyandarua County Commissioner’s office before beneficiaries began collecting the subsidised cooking kits.
Push for cleaner cooking
Speaking during the event, Kuria said the programme would reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal, lower household air pollution and help conserve forests.
“For many years, families across Ol Kalou have relied on firewood and charcoal to prepare their meals,” Kuria said.
“This programme is about improving everyday life because it gives families a cleaner, safer and healthier way to cook, reduces harmful smoke in our homes, eases pressure on our forests and saves families the time and effort spent searching for firewood or buying charcoal.”
The government has identified clean cooking as one of its priority energy transition programmes, aiming to increase LPG adoption while reducing dependence on biomass fuels.
Political undertones
Although presented as a government development programme, the event also took on a political tone.
Kuria urged residents to elect UDA candidate Samuel Muchina in the July 16 by-election, arguing that continued cooperation with the national government would unlock more development projects for the constituency.
“This historic initiative is just a glimpse of what is possible when we choose progressive leadership,” he said.
The LPG rollout is the latest in a series of government-backed initiatives in Ol Kalou ahead of the vote.
In recent weeks, residents have also received free mattresses, while cash prizes and household items have been distributed during sporting events and community engagements, as national leaders intensify campaigns in support of the UDA candidate.