Old Kalou Residents Receive Gas Cylinders and Matresses in County Relief Drive

Hundreds of households in Ol Kalou town and its surrounding wards received a boost on Tuesday as county officials distributed cooking gas cylinders and mattresses to vulnerable families across Nyandarua County.

The distribution, held at the Ol Kalou Stadium grounds, was part of a wider social support program aimed at cushioning residents from the high cost of living and the effects of recent weather disruptions. By midday, long queues had formed as beneficiaries waited to collect the items, with county staff and local administrators verifying names from a pre-approved list.

For many families in Ol Kalou Central, Githioro, and Rurii wards, the items came at a critical time. The 6kg refillable gas cylinders were given alongside a first fill, while the mattresses were described by officials as high-density foam, meant to replace bedding damaged during last month’s heavy rains.

County Executive Committee Member for Social Services said the program targeted households identified through chiefs, village elders, and community health volunteers. Priority was given to single-parent families, persons living with disabilities, and elderly residents who live alone.

“We understand that buying gas and replacing basic household items has become difficult for many,” the CECM told the crowd. “This is not charity. This is government responding to the needs of its people. We want families in Ol Kalou to cook safely and sleep with dignity.”

Beneficiaries were allowed to collect one gas cylinder and one mattress per household. County officers also took time to demonstrate safe handling of the gas, including how to check for leaks and proper storage away from children.

County officials explained that the two items were chosen after a needs assessment conducted in March across all five sub-counties. Feedback from community barazas pointed to two recurring challenges: the rising cost of cooking fuel and loss of bedding due to flooding and cold weather in highland areas.

In Ol Kalou, temperatures often drop sharply at night. Many families reported that their old mattresses had become damp or torn, making it hard for children and the elderly to sleep comfortably. At the same time, the cost of charcoal and paraffin has pushed more households to look for cleaner alternatives like LPG, but the upfront cost of a cylinder remains a barrier.

“Gas is cleaner and faster, but the cylinder is expensive,” said Jane Wanjiku, a mother of three from Ol Kalou town who was among the first to receive her package. “Now I can cook without worrying about smoke in the house. The mattress will also help my children sleep better. We really appreciate this.”

Another beneficiary, 72-year-old Peter Mwangi from Githioro, said his previous mattress was damaged when rainwater entered his house last month. “I have been sleeping on sacks. Today I got something new. God bless those who remembered us,” he said.

The exercise began early in the morning with verification desks set up by ward administrators. Each beneficiary was required to present an ID and a confirmation slip signed by their village elder. To avoid duplication, names were cross-checked against a digital register managed by the county social services department.

Trucks arrived overnight from Nakuru with the gas cylinders and mattresses. County askaris and Kenya Red Cross volunteers helped with offloading and crowd control. Health officers were also on site to offer basic check-ups for the elderly.

The county government said the procurement followed public finance rules, with suppliers vetted through the county tender process. Officials added that similar distributions will be rolled out in Ndaragwa, Kinangop, Kipipiri, and Ol Joro Orok in the coming weeks.

Area MCA and ward representatives attended the event and helped call out names. They urged residents to use the gas responsibly and to avoid selling the items.

“This support is meant to stay in your homes,” one MCA said. “Let us use it to improve our lives. If anyone tries to commercialize it, we will know, because these are tagged and registered.”

Local chiefs noted that the distribution had reduced tension in the area. In past months, residents had raised concerns during barazas about food prices and access to basic non-food items. The chief of Ol Kalou Central said his office received over 400 requests for assistance in March alone.

“This is a good start,” he said. “But we still have many more families who need support. We will continue identifying them so that no one is left behind in the next phase.”

The gas and mattress drive is part of Nyandarua County’s 2025/2026 social protection budget. According to county documents, the program allocates resources for emergency relief, support to vulnerable groups, and climate-related assistance.

Officials say the county is also working with partners to train beneficiaries on safe energy use. In Ol Kalou, a team from the energy department spent the afternoon showing residents how to connect regulators, store cylinders upright, and keep them away from open flames.

The county has set a target to reach at least 5,000 households across Nyandarua with similar support by the end of the financial year. Future phases are expected to include jerricans, blankets, and food baskets in areas affected by drought or floods.

While the mood in Ol Kalou was largely positive, some residents who did not make the list expressed concern. County officers told them to report to their chiefs to be included in the next verification exercise.

There were also questions about refills. The county clarified that the initial gas fill was part of the donation, and that beneficiaries would need to buy subsequent refills. To help with that, officials said they are in talks with local dealers to offer subsidized rates for registered beneficiaries.

Experts in community development who observed the exercise said such targeted support can make a real difference if it is consistent and well-coordinated.

“When you give a family gas, you reduce their health risks from smoke. When you give a mattress, you improve rest and productivity,” said a local NGO coordinator present at the grounds. “The key now is follow-up to ensure the items are used well and that the next round reaches more people.”

By 3 p.m., most of the day’s beneficiaries had left the stadium carrying their mattresses on their backs or on boda bodas, and wheeling the gas cylinders in carts.

Esther Njeri, a widow from Rurii, said she plans to use the gas to cook for her small kiosk. “Charcoal was eating all my profits. With gas I can cook faster and serve more customers,” she said.

James Kariuki, a boda boda rider who helped transport items, said the exercise had also created casual work for young people. “We have been busy the whole day. This is good for business too,” he noted.

As the trucks began to leave, county officials reminded residents that this was the first of several support programs planned for Ol Kalou this year. They urged the community to stay engaged through their village elders and to report any cases of fraud.

Tuesday’s distribution in Ol Kalou reflects a growing push by county governments to provide direct, practical support to households struggling with basic needs. With 6kg gas cylinders and new mattresses now in the hands of hundreds of families, the immediate goal is to ease daily pressures around cooking and shelter.

For Ol Kalou, a town known for its cold nights and farming communities, the timing could not have been better. As one elderly beneficiary put it while walking home with her new mattress: “Today we feel remembered.”

County officials say the next distribution phase for other wards will be announced through chiefs and local radio in the coming weeks.