By James Anyanzwa

Wanjiku Manyara, Petroleum Institute of East Africa General Manager and Vincent Choy, Managing Director, All Events Group addressing a press conference in Nairobi yesterday.

The proposed energy legislation has been faulted for advocating a lackluster approach to growing consumption of cooking gas in the country.

Petroleum industry players have said there is need for a radical shift in the policy approach to grow consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country that has stagnated for years.

The Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA) said if the proposed Energy Draft Bill and Policy are adopted in their current form, it would do little to bring down the use of charcoal and kerosene in cooking and lighting among many Kenyan households.

The petroleum industry lobby also said the Bill and policy, which are currently up for stakeholder debate, have limited approaches in growing LPG consumption.

Wanjiku Manyara general manager, PIEA, said the policy framework should have clear strategies to grow domestic consumption of LPG by all households including the poor in both urban and rural families.

“The ministry should replace general policy statements on promoting consumption of LPG with bold and clear strategies to convert firewood and charcoal users to LPG consumers,” Manyara told a media briefing in Nairobi yesterday.

Brave policy shift

“The necessity of a clear and brave policy shift from unsustainable energy biomass to cleaner modern options like LPG cannot be underrated anymore,” she added. Manyara made the remarks as she announced the inaugural Africa LPG summit to be hosted in Nairobi in July. The event is expected to provide an opportunity for exchange of ideas and expertise on the technology of LPG use in Africa.

It will also provide insights and focus on the policies and frameworks needed to sustain the growth of the LPG market in Africa.

Though derived from fossil fuels, Liquefied Petroleum Gas has been touted as a much cleaner form of energy compared to charcoal and kerosene that are both hazardous to the environment and human health.

Currently, consumption of LPG in Kenya stands at about 100 000 metric tonnes.Industry players project a sharp rise in gas usage as more households abandon traditional sources like firewood and charcoal.

Manyara said increased consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas would resolve the challenges of deforestation and in-door pollution.

Iincrease consumption

“We believe it is important to increase the consumption of LPG,” she said.Manyara said the Draft Energy Bill should also incorporate proposals to deter and militate against malpractices inLiquefied Petroleum Gas business including illegal refilling and rebranding.

“In a bid to overcome some of the challenges dogging the LPG business segment we have made proposals in the Energy Bill that will deter and mitigate against malpractices and at the same time proposals that ensure effective enforcement via empowering the regulator,” she said.

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