Principal Secretary for the State Department of Petroleum Kello Harsama has stepped up efforts to accelerate Kenya’s transition to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in public learning institutions, as the Government moves to expand access to cleaner and more efficient cooking energy.

Harsama has held consultations with key players in the financial sector to explore innovative financing models that can help schools and other public institutions overcome the high upfront costs associated with switching from traditional cooking fuels to LPG.

The discussions focused on affordable financing, risk management mechanisms and strategic partnerships that could make the transition financially viable and sustainable for institutions across the country.

The initiative is part of the Government’s National LPG Growth Strategy, which seeks to significantly increase the use of LPG as part of Kenya’s broader clean cooking and energy transition agenda.

Under the strategy, the Government aims to increase annual LPG consumption from the current 7.5 kilogrammes to 15 kilogrammes per capita, while raising household LPG penetration from approximately 24 per cent to 70 per cent by 2028.

Harsama said collaboration between the Government and financial institutions will be critical in mobilising the resources required to support public institutions, particularly schools, in adopting modern cooking systems.

He noted that access to affordable and sustainable financing would help institutions avoid prohibitive initial costs, allowing them to transition to LPG without placing excessive pressure on their budgets.

The consultations brought together major financial sector stakeholders, including KCB Kenya, Equity Bank Kenya, Standard Chartered and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

The engagement is expected to contribute to the development of a clear financing roadmap that will complement Government efforts to modernise institutional kitchens and promote cleaner and safer cooking practices.

The Government believes that strengthening financing structures and public-private partnerships will be key to scaling up LPG adoption beyond households and into institutions such as schools, colleges and other public facilities.

The shift is also expected to reduce dependence on traditional cooking fuels while improving safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability in institutional kitchens.

Harsama's latest engagement signals a growing focus by the State Department of Petroleum on translating Kenya’s clean cooking ambitions into practical programmes capable of delivering affordable modern energy solutions.

If successful, the financing model could provide a blueprint for thousands of public learning institutions seeking to transition to LPG while contributing to Kenya’s wider clean energy and sustainability targets.

The Government is increasingly positioning LPG as a critical component of the country's clean cooking agenda, with improved financing expected to play a central role in ensuring the transition is affordable, scalable and accessible to institutions across Kenya.