Low cooking gas prices expected as LPG plant receives shipment

The Sh8 billion Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facility in Kilifi County on Wednesday received its first shipment of cooking gas amid growing safety concerns over the project.

Lake Gas, the operator of the plant, received the maiden consignment of 11,474 metric tonnes of LPG from Nigeria at its Vipingo terminal.

The project has faced several hurdles, with both the community and the Kilifi County Government citing the firm’s failure to follow rules during the plant’s development phase.

Environmentalists also say key safety components, including breakwater protections and proper discharge jetties, remain missing or untested.

The facility is expected to cushion Kenyans from high gas prices, according to Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, who has previously downplayed the safety concerns.

Lake Gas Ltd Group Chief Executive and Chairman Ally Awadh said the successful discharge of LPG marks a critical milestone in Kenya’s energy infrastructure development.

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Mr Awadh said the consignment will enhance LPG handling capacity, strengthen energy security and accelerate the shift to cleaner energy across the region.

“The commencement of discharge at our Vipingo terminal is a defining moment not just for Lake Gas Limited but for Kenya’s energy landscape. This state-of-the-art facility significantly enhances the country’s LPG import and storage capabilities and reinforces our unwavering commitment to clean energy and national development,” he said.

Mr Awadh said the operations, which began on June 2, 2025 and concluded on June 4, 2025, involved the safe and efficient discharge of 11,475 metric tonnes of LPG via their offshore Conventional Buoy (CBM) system located one kilometre off the Vipingo Coast.

He said the commissioning process of the sh.8 billion facility tested and validated the entire LPG supply chain, including vessel mooring, subsea pipeline transfer and onshore storage system.

“The successful commencement and completion of the commissioning cargo discharge from MT Barumk Gas at Lake Gas Vipingo LPG Terminal marks a landmark in operationalising Kenya’s most advanced LPG import and storage facility with 10,000 metric tonnes,” said Mr Awadh. The CEO said all activities were conducted in full compliance with international safety standards, environmental protection protocols and national regulatory frameworks.