Ruling party in Kenya has launched the distribution of 20,000 gas (LPG) cylinders to households in all the five wards in Ol Kalou Constituency as part of efforts to promote clean cooking energy, spur forest conservation and improve public health.

The opposition alleges blatant voter inducement, saying “it is raining bribery” in constituency that holds a parliamentary by-election next week. The by-election has fiercely contested, with the opposition claiming the government has “poured” in the constituency Ksh1 billion to tilt the balance in its favour.

The gift by President William Ruto’s ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has been dismissed by the opposition as outright an “blatant bribery” to voters in Ol Kalou, which is set for a parliamentary by-election on July 16.

DCP leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleges the gas cylinders are a desperate attempt to sway voter preference in an electoral bloc that is hostile to the president.

The LPG programme was flagged off by Petroleum Principal Secretary Kello Harsama and Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, who said the initiative forms part of the government’s strategy to reduce reliance on firewood and accelerate the transition to clean and affordable household energy.

Speaking during the launch, the two principal secretaries said the continued use of firewood has contributed to deforestation and environmental degradation, making the adoption of cleaner cooking fuels critical to achieving the country’s forest conservation targets.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Gachagua claimed that information from the constituency indicated that some residents were being asked to surrender their national identity cards in exchange for the subsidised cooking gas cylinders and mattresses. He alleged that the exercise was designed to prevent residents from participating in the upcoming by-election.

“This is a scheme to deny you the opportunity and right to vote on the by-elections of July 16, 2026. Please don’t surrender your identity card to anyone,” Gachagua said.

However, Wachira and Harsama noted that the programme supports President Ruto’s environmental agenda of increasing Kenya’s forest cover while expanding access to clean energy for households.

Consequently, Harsama urged beneficiaries to use the gas cylinders responsibly, saying wider adoption of LPG would not only protect forests but also improve the health of families by reducing exposure to harmful indoor smoke produced by traditional cooking fuels.

He observed that many rural households continue to rely on firewood and charcoal, exposing women and children to respiratory illnesses associated with prolonged inhalation of smoke.

The petroleum principal secretary also called on residents to support government development programmes, saying public participation remains essential to accelerating service delivery and improving livelihoods.

On electricity access, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira announced that the government has allocated Ksh1.6 billion for electricity connectivity projects across the larger Nyandarua area.

He said Ol Kalou Constituency has been allocated Ksh260 million to implement 36 electricity projects, with about 2,600 households expected to be connected to the national grid by December this year.

Wachira said the investments in electricity and clean cooking energy complement each other by expanding access to modern energy services while supporting sustainable environmental management.

Presidential Senior Economic Advisor Moses Kuria said the LPG distribution programme would benefit households in every ward in Ol Kalou Constituency. Mr Kuria said residents had requested for affordable cooking gas for many years and expressed confidence that the initiative would significantly reduce dependence on firewood, curb indiscriminate tree cutting and contribute to forest conservation.

Addressing the meeting, Kuria also urged residents to support the government’s development agenda, saying the administration should be given time to fully implement its programmes.

Blue Economy Principal Secretary, Betsy Muthoni Njagi, called on residents to preserve the area’s development record by supporting leaders committed to advancing government development initiatives.

The clean energy programme is expected to improve access to safe and affordable cooking solutions, reduce pressure on forest resources, lower household exposure to indoor air pollution and complement ongoing investments in rural electrification across Nyandarua County.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Antony Mwangni