The State Department for Petroleum has initiated a push to have the government release Ksh2.5 billion to facilitate the installation of cooking gas in public institutions.
According to Mohammed Liban, the Principal Secretary in charge of the Department, the objective to install the LPG facilities in 300- 500 schools across the country annually.
Speaking while addressing the Energy Committee in Parliament, Liban explained that there was a written request to the Treasury requesting for the capitation of the funds.
“Over 7,000 schools have expressed interest, and nearly 70 per cent of these schools use firewood for cooking. Our strategy is to start with public schools, then public institutions, hospitals, prisons, and NYS,” stated Liban.
Liban stated that the move aligns with the country's goal to gradually transition from reliance on fossil fuels to clean energy. In this plan in particular, the government envisions a future where schools phase out use of firewood.
The Treasury is expected to fund the project through funds collected through the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum’s Anti-Adulteration Levy.
The Anti Adulteration Levy is a tax imposed on kerosene. It was rolled out in 2018 specifically to address the challenge of adulteration of diesel and to weed out unscrupulous traders within the industry as well.
However, observers have raised questions on how safety of the project in schools, particularly since it might be an easy target for rogue students during strikes and other forms of unrest.
The PS, however, allayed this fears revealing that the government will fence the areas to prevent access by unauthorised persons.
"We will also undertake education and sensitise the students and the school management on the safety and security issues," Mr Liban said.
The project has already been piloted in specific schools. The government is also scouting for a partner who will invest in the project to facilitate quick implementation.
Once this is done, the same will be extended to other public institutions like prisons and public hospitals.
