Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has explained how the mandatory gas piping and taps will work following the approval of the LPG Growth Policy by President William Ruto's Cabinet on Monday.
Speaking during an interview on NTV, the CS revealed that the policy of the gas infrastructure targets gated communities including the affordable houses being undertaken by the government.
He added that houses that have already been developed will have a policy in place in the long run as they aim to have all homes connected to LPG.
In the new move, Chirchir detailed that the government will install big gas cylinders in estates which will supply the houses through the piping system incorporated in the house design.
He explained that the move will see Kenyans enjoy an adequate supply of gas without worrying about the high costs which will go down as the move eliminates transportation costs.
On the costs of the installation of gas pipes, the CS explained that the government will be seeking to make use of funds from the Kereosene Levy to install the infrastructure in affordable houses.
The CS added that new homeowners will factor in the cost during the construction of the house, noting that exercise will not be expensive if incorporated into the house design.
However, in rural homes, the government plans to give gas cylinders to all homes at an affordable price.
"For new homes, we will work with the building community to ensure that there are regulations which will ensure that new homes coming up are licensed with reticulation," he stated.
"In a year, we usually get about Ksh2.4 billion from the levy of Kerosene and if we secure that fund, we should be able to ask the cylinder producers to supply them to the homes."
Chirchir explained that the Cabinet resolution was revolutionary given the benefits that will be witnessed through the use of clean energy.
On the other hand, he indicated that the regulations will address the rising costs of gas which is currently regulated by market factors such as supply and demand.
A 6kg gas is currently being refilled at around Ksh1200 across the country. This is a sharp rise from the Ksh900 of last month.
