Govt has initiated a Ksh2.5 billion push to switch to cooking gas in public schools.
The State Department for Petroleum has launched a campaign to have the government release Ksh2.5 billion to allow the installation of cooking gas in public buildings.
According to Mohammed Liban, the Principal Secretary in charge of the Department, the goal is to construct LPG facilities in 300-500 schools around the country each year.
Speaking to the Energy Committee in Parliament, Liban stated that the Treasury had received a written request for the capitation of the money.
“More than 7,000 schools have expressed interest, with roughly 70% using firewood to cook. “Our strategy is to begin with public schools, followed by public institutions, hospitals, prisons, and New York State,” Liban remarked.
Liban noted that the decision is consistent with the country’s goal of gradually transitioning away from dependency on fossil fuels and toward cleaner energy. In this proposal, the government anticipates a future in which schools no longer utilize firewood.
The Treasury intends to support the initiative with cash raised by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum’s Anti-Adulteration Levy.
The Anti-Adulteration Levy is a tax on kerosene. It was implemented in 2018 particularly to address the issue of diesel adulteration while also weeding out dishonest merchants in the business.
However, some observers have expressed concerns about the project’s safety at schools, particularly because it could be an easy target for renegade students during strikes and other types of disturbance.
The PS, on the other hand, allayed concerns by stating that the government will fence off the locations to prevent unlawful entry.
“We will also undertake education and sensitise the students and the school management on the safety and security issues,” added Mr. Liban.
The concept has already been tested in certain schools. The government is also looking for a partner that will invest in the project to ensure its speedy execution.
Once completed, the same will be applied to other public institutions such as prisons and public hospitals.
Govt has initiated a Ksh2.5 billion push to switch to cooking gas in public schools.
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