Nairobi: In accordance with this year's Mashujaa Day national celebration theme, which focuses on transforming lives through sustainable energy solutions, the national government, through the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, is installing a 40,000 metric tonnes ultra-modern Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facility for use by Kitui County residents. This initiative aims to ensure that every household, school, or public institution across the vast Kitui County can easily access affordable and safe cooking gas.
According to Kenya News Agency, this development was disclosed by Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi during his inspection tour at Kitui Teachers Training College, where the LPG storage facility installation project is underway. Wandayi emphasized that the project is part of a broader strategy to make clean energy more accessible and affordable, thereby protecting forests and the environment.
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum is also planning to distribute over 24,000 gas cylinders to residents across all eight constituencies in the county. The Cabinet Secretary, accompanied by senior government officials, inspected preparations for clean energy exhibition activities as the country gears up to mark 'Energy Week,' which will take place from Monday, November 13 to Friday, November 17 at the Kitui Teachers Training College.
Energy Week coincides with this year's Mashujaa Day Celebration theme, 'Clean Energy,' and will serve as a curtain-raiser for the Mashujaa Day Celebrations, which will also be held in Kitui County and presided over by President Dr. William Ruto. During his visit, Wandayi mentioned that the Ministry is collaborating with various agencies, including Kenya Power and Lighting (KPLC), KETRACO, and Kenya Pipeline, to improve the livelihoods of Kenyans.
In collaboration with the Kenya Pipeline Company, an ultramodern solarized water borehole is being constructed at the Kitui Teachers Training College. This facility is intended to serve not only the teachers' training institution but also the surrounding community. Additionally, a 20-meter high mast is being erected for lighting up the entire learning institution and its environment.
Furthermore, the state department for petroleum will provide the necessary infrastructure to connect cooking gas from the LPG storage facility to the college's kitchen, assisting the institution in fully transitioning from fossil fuels.