NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto is on a mission to transition Kenya’s public schools from firewood to clean cooking gas—and he’s counting on the private sector to light the flame.
Speaking at the launch of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Programme for Public Learning Institutions at Nairobi’s Jamhuri High School, President Ruto emphasized the government’s ambitious plan to bring LPG to 11,000 schools.
The project, he noted, will rely heavily on private-sector investment.
“We’ll buy the gas from private suppliers,” Ruto explained. “But they’ll also need to install LPG tanks and supporting infrastructure in schools across the country.”
The President gave the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum a one-year deadline to roll out the programme, which he described as a win-win: a boost for the environment, healthier cooking conditions for students, and a step forward for Kenya’s clean energy goals.
At the heart of the initiative lies Kenya’s broader environmental strategy: reducing the use of firewood and charcoal, which contribute to deforestation and climate change. Ruto stressed that protecting trees is vital to achieving the government’s target of planting 15 billion trees.
“We can’t succeed in greening Kenya while still cutting trees for firewood,” he said.
This LPG switch aligns with global sustainability goals and ensures healthier, cleaner air in schools. According to the government, it’s a decisive shift toward ending reliance on biomass and promoting renewable energy source.
The President also announced key policy changes to drive down the cost of LPG and increase its accessibility. First up: Kenya will begin purchasing gas through an Open Tender System to ensure competitive prices.
“Our aim is to grow gas usage per person from 6.5kg to 15kg annually and increase national penetration from 24pc to 70pc,” Ruto noted.
To support these goals, the government is working with private investors to develop a common-user import facility at the Kenya Petroleum Refineries Ltd.
Ruto emphasized that zero-rated taxes on LPG have already improved storage infrastructure, paving the way for more affordable, sustainable solutions. He concluded with a forward-looking message, highlighting the economic benefits of a thriving LPG sector, from job creation to increased investment.
