First Lady roots for use of clean cooking solutions

Kenya has made notable progress in the use of clean cooking solutions, First Lady Rachel Ruto has said.

In the decade between 2013 and 2023, the use of clean energy in cooking has risen from 10 per cent to 31 per cent, accelerating Kenya’s collective ambitions towards achieving universal clean cooking access by 2028,  the First Lady explained.

Speaking at the 6th edition of the Clean Cooking Week at Karisa Maitha Grounds in Kilifi town, the First Lady said clean cooking is about dignity and safety in the everyday life of families.

“It is more than lighting a stove; it is about life itself. It is about fairness, justice, and equity for women,” she said.

Mrs Ruto said Kenya’s commitment extends beyond the borders and has issued a call to Action for a Clean Energy Transition.

“I will continue to advance this agenda at the Second Africa Climate Summit in Ethiopia, urging that clean cooking remains a priority in Africa’s energy transition discourse. This is not just Kenya’s mission; it is a continental ambition,” she said.

Mrs Ruto said Mama Doing Good, in partnership with KEMRI and the CLEAN-Air (Africa) Research Unit, has developed a training manual on household air pollution.

“Already, 4,000 women have been trained to champion clean cooking in villages. But our dream is bigger. We seek to empower 130,000 community health promoters across Kenya to become ambassadors of safe kitchens and healthy homes,” she said.

Present were Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and members of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Energy.

They included MPs Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Tom Odege (Nyatike), Simon King’ara (Ruiru), Geoffrey Mulanya (Nambale) and Cecilia Asinyen (Turkana)

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said President William Ruto is commited to transformative and holistic developments in every part of the country.

“Clean cooking is not only about public health, but also aimed at protecting the environment from greenhouse gas emissions,” he pointed out.

The CS said the National Energy Policy, which recognises clean cooking, was a priority. To operationalise the policy, various strategies, including the Kenya National Cooking Transition Strategy, the Kenya National Electric Cooking Strategy, the Cooking and associated investment plans have been completed.

“To accelerate clean cooking solutions, we believe that partnerships are the engine of our success,” he said.

Also present were British High Commission Economic Counsellor Daniel Wilcox and German Honorary Consul Stefan Wentzel.

They both commended the gains Kenya has made as the clean cooking pioneer in Africa.

Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo assured of parliamentary commitment to entrepreneurs involved and assured of legislation and budgetary allocation support.