EPRA: Why have Cooking Gas Prices increased by Ksh 500? Kenyans scramble for alternatives

Gas Cylinders

After a one-week increase in the price of Ksh500 for cooking gas, Kenyans have resorted to using alternative energy sources such as charcoal, kerosene, and other alternatives to cook and for other domestic uses.

According to the reports, the price of a cylinder weighing six kilograms, which had previously been sold for 1,800 Kenyan shillings, increased to 2,600 shillings.

In comparison, the price of a 13-kilogram cylinder, which had previously been sold at retail for 2,600 Kenyan shillings, has increased to 3,100 Kenyan shillings in Nairobi.

Local retailers notified their customers and informed them of the changes, simply saying that the increase in gas prices was the result of regulatory initiatives taken. This was done in order to inform Kenyans of the changes.

Local retailers notified their customers and informed them of the changes, simply saying that the increase in gas prices was the result of regulatory initiatives taken. This was done in order to inform Kenyans of the changes.

"The price of gas has gone up because of regulations imposed by the government." The message sent out by gas station owners and operators read, in part, "In the event of a decrease, we will keep you updated."

Because the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) did not use its power to control the price of cooking gas, consumers are at the mercy of market forces.

Key industry players said that the main reason why gas prices went up was because the Kenyan shilling lost value against the U.S. dollar.

On Thursday, February 9, business people working in the industry bemoaned the fact that the price increases had a significant negative impact on their operations because customers looked for other options.

"I've heard from numerous individuals that they are unable to pay for gas. They are opting to purchase kerosene in its place."

Abdulahi Abdi, a retailer who works in the industry and has seen a decline in sales, lamented, "We used to sell as many as 20 cylinders in a day, but now we sell as few as two cylinders in a day."

Other merchants also said that they had to stop what they were doing so they could look for money to refill their cylinders.

People in the food industry have also complained about the rise in gas prices, saying that it has had a big effect on their businesses.

"There are certain kinds of food that I used to cook, but I had to stop doing so because it requires a lot of gas and charcoal. I had to stop doing it because it consumed so much energy."

Foods such as beans and maize need a significant amount of charcoal. According to what Peter Mwangi said, "it also indicates that people who wish to purchase such a kind of meal would go someplace elsewhere to do so."