Nakuru: The County Government of Nakuru is stepping up efforts to accelerate the adoption of modern clean cooking technologies to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce cases of diseases caused by dirty fuels. Deputy Director of the County Delivery Unit, Mr. Clement Ndung'u, announced that the county government was conducting a public awareness campaign on promoting clean cooking as part of supporting the national government's Clean Cooking Strategy, formulated by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Clean Cooking Strategy aims to improve Kenya's access to improved clean cooking solutions and keep the country on track to achieving its target of universal access to clean energy by 2028. The Deputy Director explained that the devolved unit had already rolled out a program to install modern and environmentally friendly cookstoves in learning institutions. He emphasized that the reliance on traditional fires, cookstoves, and fuels was a pressing health and environmental issue requiring urgent action.
Mr. Ndung'u, after overseeing the installation of environmentally friendly cooking stoves at several primary schools, indicated that the initiative was supporting school operations, safeguarding health, and promoting sustainability through reduced fuel use. He noted that the World Health Organization estimates that 84 percent of Kenyan households primarily rely on solid fuels such as wood and charcoal, contributing significantly to indoor pollution.
The County Official noted that cooking had become faster, cleaner, and more efficient in all schools where these modern cook stoves were installed. Kitchen staff reported a significant drop in fuel consumption and timely meal preparation. Health concerns for school workers have diminished, leading to a more productive environment for staff and learners.
Mr. Ndung'u highlighted that Governor Susan Kihika's Administration was conducting the 'Clean Cooking Awareness Campaign' across all 11 sub-counties in collaboration with public and private sector players. The initiative promotes climate-friendly efficient biomass stoves and fuel switching to cleaner options, including biogas, bioethanol, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), solar photovoltaic (PV), and electric cooking.
Modern cooking stoves, explained the official, are highly efficient, reducing fuel use by up to 60 percent and resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The Ministry of Health estimates about 23,000 deaths in Kenya are attributed to household air pollution annually, with a significant portion of households using traditional fireplaces for cooking.
Ndung'u noted that modern cooking fuels alleviate the need to extract biomass energy, contributing to the preservation of the environment. He stated that the campaign aims to influence public knowledge and attitudes towards climate-friendly cooking solutions.
The County Efficiency Monitoring Officer, Mary Wachera, observed that while some Kenyans are aware of cooking smoke's negative impacts, many are not aware of the benefits of clean and efficient cook stoves and fuels. She explained that smoke from dirty fuel contributes to chronic illnesses and encouraged stakeholders to embrace clean cooking innovations to achieve the government strategy, which commits to reducing greenhouse gases by 32 percent by 2030.