Baraka Gas operates LPG cylinder bottling plants in the towns of Matuu and Kilifi, with over 60,000 cylinders in circulation. Jackson Kimwele, CEO of Baraka Gas, shares his company’s history and the steps that brought it to where it is today:
Humble Beginnings in LPG Transportation
Our journey in the LPG industry began in 2011 when we started as a bulk LPG transportation company. At that time, Kenya had only a few LPG import terminals, most of which were owned by major oil marketing companies. These terminals couldn’t meet the growing demand for LPG and rarely supplied independent local companies. This challenge compelled us to seek alternative sources of bulk LPG beyond Kenya’s borders.
Our search led us to Ndola, Zambia, where we began sourcing LPG for the Kenyan market. The trips to Zambia were extremely challenging. In addition to the long distances involved, depot operations were often disrupted by equipment breakdowns and shortages of heavy fuel oil used to power the terminal machinery, which itself had to be imported from Tanzania. Under ideal conditions, a single round trip would take about two weeks. However, due to these operational setbacks, it was common for one trip to take between two and four months. Despite the delays, the business remained profitable and enabled us to steadily build capital.
New LPG Infrastructure Created More Opportunity
A major breakthrough came in 2015 when a private investor commissioned a large LPG import terminal in Mombasa County. The new facility significantly improved the country’s LPG supply, eliminated frequent shortages, and accelerated LPG penetration across both rural and urban Kenya.
Throughout this period, our business remained focused on transportation. By 2017, we had accumulated sufficient capital to expand into bulk LPG trading. We began purchasing LPG ourselves and distributing it to customers across Kenya and into Uganda, marking an important milestone in our growth.
Pivoting to LPG Filling Depots
By 2018, many of our customers had acquired their own transport fleets, reducing our transportation business. Rather than viewing this as a setback, we recognized it as an opportunity to move further up the LPG value chain. We made the strategic decision to establish our own LPG filling depot.
That vision became a reality in 2020 with the commissioning of the Baraka Gas Matuu Depot. The depot was established to serve the greater Eastern region, particularly Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties. Growth in these markets has been gradual due to limited economic activity, lower household incomes, and the widespread availability of free firewood and charcoal in many rural communities. Nevertheless, we remained committed to increasing access to clean cooking energy by subsidizing both LPG cylinders and gas prices, making LPG more affordable for households with limited purchasing power.
Recognizing another growth opportunity, we identified Kilifi County in 2024 as an underserved LPG market. We acquired suitable land and immediately commenced the lengthy regulatory approval process. The land first had to be converted from agricultural to light industrial use, a process that was delayed by government procedures.
In February 2025, NEMA approved our Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In September 2025, we applied for county approval to construct the perimeter fence while awaiting completion of the land-use conversion. We began construction of the perimeter fence in November 2025. Finally, in February 2026, we received approvals from both the County Government of Kilifi and EPRA to proceed with the construction of the LPG filling depot.
Today, after 15 years of dedication, resilience, and strategic growth, Baraka Gas has evolved from a single bulk LPG transporter into a leading LPG company operating two LPG filling depots with a cylinder population exceeding 60,000, a number that continues to grow.
Our journey reflects perseverance, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to making clean, affordable, and reliable LPG accessible to communities across Kenya. As we continue to expand our infrastructure and distribution network, we remain focused on contributing to Kenya’s transition towards cleaner, safer, and more sustainable energy solutions.