Kenya’s Push for Clean Cooking Gains Support from Private Sector Leaders
President William Ruto’s administration has recently announced a bold initiative aimed at promoting clean cooking technologies to reduce reliance on traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal. The move, which aligns with Kenya’s broader climate action goals, seeks to reduce carbon emissions and accelerate efforts to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. This announcement has received a positive response from the private sector, with key stakeholders such as the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) lending their full support.
Eng. James Mwangi, Chair of the KEPSA Energy Sector and CEO of Kurrent Technologies Ltd, praised the move, calling it a critical step towards sustainable energy solutions. “Sustainable energy solutions are vital for global climate action,” Mwangi stated. “Globally, 2.6 billion people still lack access to clean cooking solutions. This has profound effects on the environment, economic development, and public health. Schools, in particular, are large contributors to inefficient cooking as they prepare high volumes of meals daily.”
Mwangi emphasized that as institutions that serve large populations, schools are often reliant on traditional, polluting cooking methods. He pointed out that adopting cleaner, more efficient cooking solutions in schools could significantly reduce fuel consumption, cut down on smoke emissions, and help reduce greenhouse gases.
“KEPSA welcomes this initiative and is eager to embrace the opportunity to scale up clean cooking solutions,” Mwangi added. “These modern cooking technologies use less fuel, reduce harmful emissions, and contribute positively to both environmental sustainability and public health.”
The move is expected to not only improve the environmental footprint of schools and other institutions but also align with Kenya’s long-term climate goals. The President’s commitment to clean cooking is a key pillar of the country’s efforts to combat climate change, with wider benefits for both rural and urban populations.
As Kenya continues to push for greener solutions, the collaboration between the government and the private sector will be crucial in accelerating the transition to cleaner, more efficient cooking methods across the country.
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