The average price of a 13-kilogramme cylinder of cooking gas increased to Sh3,158.35 in August, the highest level in 10 months, hurting the budgets of many households incentivised to take up the commodity on lower costs following the recent tax incentives by the government.
The price is the highest since October 2024, when it stood at Sh3,183.29, data by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics showed.
The August prices also mark the second successive month of cost increases after the average cost of the commodity, also referred to as Liquefied Petroleum Gas(LPG), climbed to Sh3,146.58 in July, breaking a trend of drops in May and June.
Retailers selling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“The national average retail prices of petroleum products in August 2025 were Sh186.37 per litre for premium motor gasoline, Sh172.75 per litre for light diesel oil, and Sh156.76 per litre for illuminating kerosene,” KNBS said.
“Over the same period, the average retail price of charcoal was Sh89.83 per kg, while that of a 13-kg LPG cylinder stood at Sh3,158.35,” it added.
The increases in LPG prices deal a blow to many households that have turned to it as an option for safer cooking.
Data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) shows that consumption rose by seven percent to 443,932.46 tonnes in the year ended June 2025 from 414,861 tonnes posted in the previous year.
The higher LPG consumption in the year to June 2025 came amid lower prices, with KNBS data showing that the average retail cost of a 13 kg cooking gas cylinder stood at Sh3,134.91 in June 2025, down from Sh3,213.97 in a similar period last year.
Epra attributed the increased usage to government incentives, including the removal of the eight percent Value Added Tax, 3.5 percent import declaration fee, and 2.5 percent railway development levy in July 2023, in a bid to lower user prices.
“This demand is expected to grow further with the implementation of the National LPG Growth Strategy,” said Epra.
The price of LPG at a petrol station in Voi, Taita Taveta County.
Photo credit: Lucy Mkanyika I Nation Media Group.
“The strategy stipulates the use of LPG in public learning institutions, reticulation in households, and cylinder distribution to low-income households,” it added.
Epra data showed that Kenyans used cooking gas the most in May 2025, recording 40,478.32 tonnes, while March posted the lowest usage, or 33,082.32 tonnes, in the year under review.
LPG uptake has been further boosted by increased capacity of handling terminals, which has improved trade and supply.
“The commissioning of the Lake Gas facility in Vipingo, Kilifi County, has boosted storage capacity for LPG receiving terminals, improving supply security,” said Epra.
