The price of cooking gas has shot up by a wide margin owing to the slapping of a 16 per cent VAT on the product. The 13-kilogramme cooking gas now retails at an average of Sh2,700, up from an average of Sh2,200, while the more popular six-kilogramme container, popularly known as Meko, is retailing at an average of Sh1,500 up from Sh1,200. The Petroleum Institute of East Africa is cautioning that making cooking gas expensive is detrimental to the economy, environment and people's health. In 2020, Kenya forest cover stood at eight per cent, with Kenya Forest Service targeting 10 per cent by 2022. Taxing cooking gas (LPG) was not a well-thought-out idea and needs to be reviewed.

Source: The Star July 10, 2021 03:00 UTC