By Kennedy Nalyanya
The government's flagship project aimed at providing affordable cooking gas to low-income Kenyans is facing significant challenges, with reports suggesting millions of shillings may have been wasted. The Mwananchi Gas project, launched in 2016, is under scrutiny for faulty equipment, poor implementation, and a potential shift away from its original subsidized model.
Some of the issues undermining the project include:
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Faulty Cylinders: A major setback came to light when an independent inspection revealed that a significant number of the six-kilogram cylinders supplied were defective. This issue led to the suspension of the project in 2019 and raised questions about the quality of the equipment procured.
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Poor Implementation: Auditors have criticized the lack of a clear strategy and poor execution from the outset. This has contributed to the project's overall ineffectiveness, as reported by the Daily Nation.
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Wasted Funds: The financial investment in the project is at risk, with at least Sh60 million potentially lost due to the defective cylinders and flawed execution.
The Mwananchi Gas project was initially designed to reach 1.2 million households and boost the national uptake of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from 10% to 70%. The initiative also had important environmental and health goals, aiming to reduce reliance on harmful biomass and kerosene fuels.
However, in light of the ongoing challenges, the government may be pivoting its strategy. According to the Business Daily, there are reports that the government is now considering partnering with private oil dealers to distribute LPG cylinders. This move could signal a significant departure from the original subsidized model, raising concerns about whether the project's core goal of providing affordable energy to low-income citizens will be met.
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