Kenyans in select areas are now enjoying reduced refilling prices for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) which have fallen below Ksh1,000 for the first time in more than a year.
On Sunday, a spot check by Kenyans.co.ke indicated that select neighbourhoods in Nairobi and Kiambu counties were selling the 6kg cylinder at Ksh950.
Some vendors in Uthiru lowered their market price for a 6kg cylinder to Ksh950, a 13kg cylinder to Ksh2,200 and a 3kg cylinder to Ksh500.
In Ruaka, the price is relatively higher, with clients parting with Ksh1,100 for a 6kg cylinder, Ksh2,300 for a 13kg cylinder and Ksh550 for a 3kg cylinder.
In Western and Nyanza, where the price is higher due to location, a 6kg cylinder is Kshs1050 while a 13kg cylinder sells at Ksh2,300.
A vendor told Kenyans.co.ke that the drop has been gradual over recent months from a high of Ksh1,450 for a 6kg cylinder and Ksh3,500 for a 13kg cylinder.
"Refilling a 6kg is Ksh950. A 13kg is Ksh2,200. The price did not drop at once but gradual at a rate of between Ksh50 and Ksh100. There was a week the price spiked but vendors did not raise it," stated the shop owner.
The drop kicked off at the beginning of August when the price of a 6kg cylinder retailed at Ksh1,350, and a 13kg cylinder was slightly below Ksh3,000.
The drop, estimated at between 20 per cent and 30 per cent, is attributed to the removal of taxes on gas which took effect in July.
President William Ruto removed Value Added Taxes (VAT) on gas in line with his plan to promote green cooking. He also pledged to lower the cost of an empty gas cylinder to Ksh300.
In February, the Head of State had tasked Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir to spearhead the removal of taxes on LPG gas.
He also directed the Ministry to explore ways of ensuring that piped gas is availed in households across the country - a move he argued would further lower the cost of the crucial product.
Ruto, instead, doubled VAT from 8 per cent to 16 per cent on all fuel products, raising petrol prices from Ksh182 in June to Ksh194 beginning July.
