Business Daily released a report last week that shows the percentage of energy consumption in different parts of Kenya.
According to the report released on Thursday, April 12th, Siaya County, Homa Bay County and Busia County record the highest percentage of Kenyans who are still stuck with kerosene lamps for lighting and charcoal for cooking.
The report further says that households in Samburu and Turkana counties rely heavily on wood fuel for lighting while the majority of households in Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties reported battery lamp as their main source of lighting.
Generally many Kenyans, especially in the rural areas, still use charcoal and kerosene for cooking and lighting.
The government banned the sale of charcoal.
This has not only affected the poor Kenyans who depend on charcoal as the only source of fuel but it has also led to the increase in food prices in urban centers.
With the charcoal now a limited commodity, the only source of energy which can save the poor is kerosene fuel. Many can afford to buy kerosene, albeit in little quantities.
The plans by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to increase the prices of fuel in a bid to put a stop to the adulteration of fuel by scrupulous dealers are adding salt to an injury to the poor.
If they charcoal is becoming gold and kerosene prices are above the roof, where do the government expect the poor people living in the rural areas to get energy?
These people cannot afford to buy gas nor electric cookers, what are they going to use for cooking and lighting?
The ERC should remember the poor and re-think their decision to increase prices of kerosene.