This archive report was first published on 4 August 2020.
August 4, 2020 - The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant shift in household energy consumption, with cash-strapped families opting for kerosene over cooking gas.
According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumption dropped to 23.3 million kilos in June, down from 31.4 million kilos in April.
Meanwhile, kerosene consumption surged to 15.4 million litres in May, up from 13.9 million litres in April.
The shift is attributed to the financial pressure caused by the pandemic, which has led to income shrinkages for individuals and businesses.
Low-income households are turning to kerosene, which can be bought in smaller quantities, despite its environmental drawbacks.
The price of kerosene has remained relatively stable, retailing at Sh65.4 per litre, with EPRA maintaining the price until August 14.
EPRA noted that there was no kerosene discharged at the Mombasa port, resulting in the prevailing price being maintained but adjusted for under-recovery of value-added tax by oil marketing companies.
