Cooking Gas Prices Increase Despite Fuel Drop
Cooking Gas Prices Increase Despite Fuel Drop
Cooking Gas Prices Increase Despite Fuel Drop
After a price hike in recent weeks, Kenyans in certain places will need to pay an additional Ksh300 to replenish their Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders.The cost of a 6 kg gas cylinder increased from Ksh1,200 in September 2023 to around Ksh1,400 in January 2024, according to a spot check; in contrast, a 13 kg cylinder that was retailing for Ksh2,400 last year is now selling for Ksh2,900.
As of January 17, 2024, the price of a 6 kg cylinder was retailing at Ksh1,250 while a 13 kg cylinder went for Ksh2,500 in areas along Thika Road. In Uthiru, the prices are relatively higher, with users parting with Ksh1,300 for a 6kg cylinder and Ksh2,800 for a 13 kg cylinder. For some brands, the price goes as high as Ksh2,900.
In Embakasi, retailers have hiked the prices of a 6kg cylinder to an average of Ksh1,380 while a 13 kg cylinder sells at Ksh3,160. Residents who reside in Ruaka will have to pay at a relatively lower rate, with a 6 kg cylinder going for Ksh2,150 while a 13 kg cylinder retails at Ksh2,700.
According to a resident of Kitengela who spoke with Kenyans.co.ke, he spent Ksh3,050 for a 13 kilogram cylinder.The individual clarified, “I filled up the gas tank one day prior to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announcing the new fuel rates. The cost of a 13 kg cylinder increased from Ksh2,300 in August to Ksh2,400 in September, Ksh 2,500 in October, and Ksh2,700 by the end of December 2023, according to another spot-check.
An increase in cooking gas prices puts pressure on households that are already struggling to make ends meet. Observers have since raised questions over the steady increase in LPG prices despite fuel prices recording a decrease in the last two months.In the past two months, EPRA has lowered fuel prices, after several months of prices remaining high.In December 2023, the prices for petrol, diesel and kerosene decreased by Ksh5, Ksh2 and Ksh4.01 to retail at Ksh212.36, Ksh201.47 and Ksh199.05 per litre respectively.
After a month, the cost of diesel, kerosene, and super gasoline dropped by Ksh5, Ksh5, and Ksh4.82, respectively. At the moment, they retail in Nairobi for Ksh207.36, Diesel for Ksh196.47, and Kerosene for Ksh194.23. To lower the cost of LPG, the Cabinet suggested in October 2023 eliminating all taxes on the fuel. This came after the Finance Act 2023 eliminated the eight percent Value Added Tax (VAT), a move that was consistent with the nation’s plans to switch to using green energy.
