NAIROBI, Kenya, May 23 – Kenyans may have a relief starting this starting this July after the Energy Regulatory Commission assured of a drop in cooking gas prices.
Energy Regulatory Commission Director General Kaburu Mwirichia says the storage plant being constructed in Mombasa will be complete in July and will allow huge imports of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and also enough storage space.
He added that the commodity keeps shooting up occasionally due to regular shortage as sometimes it is purchased in small amounts.
“‘We have this facility which is being constructed in Mombasa, for receiving and storing of LPG. And we understand it is going to be ready by July this year. For now you cannot offload a big ship because the storage is very small, and even the receiving facility,” said Mwirichia.
Mwirichia has called on Kenyans to be patient adding that ERC has no intention of regulating cooking gas as alleged earlier by sections of the media.
He said if the government will be able to purchase cheaper LPG hence prices to remain low locally even with high international prices.
“That’s why we keep having shortages now and then. From July when we get this system working, I think gas will be very competitive and we shall be able to get cheaper gas because we shall bring big shipment. That’s why we don’t intend to even try and regulate the price of gas,” added the ERC boss.
Currently, the 6kg gas cylinder is going for Sh1,300 while the 13kg going for at least Sh2,800.
On the issue of the petrol prices, Mwirichia says, “of late, in the recent several weeks, there has been a reduction in international oil prices. So the cargo we expect within the month should be priced lower, hence reflected in the next price review.”
