Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has called upon principals and heads of institutions to use clean cooking energy, aimed at curbing the wanton destruction of forests in the county.
Mutula disclosed that the number of tonnes of firewood consumed daily in schools, hospitals and churches was alarming, hence the need to embrace renewable energy in cooking to conserve the environment that was threatened with degradation.
The governor made the remarks Friday at Konza Technopolis during the Green Energy Promotion and Clean Cooking Advocacy Forum, which brought together secondary school principals, heads of institutions, financiers and service providers of technology to discuss the way forward on how they can partner in the use of renewable energy for cooking purposes and phase out biomass fuels.
“The consumption of firewood in our schools and other institutions is alarming. The number of tonnes that are consumed daily is extremely alarming. Therefore, being an Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) area, it is our job to ensure we protect the environment,” said Mutula while reading his speech at Konza Technopolis in Mukaa Sub-County.
“Therefore, we brought together all institutions through their respective principals, so that they can appreciate our intention and plan. The idea is to bring on board the service providers who have the requisite technology to offer and also the banks who will give funds,” he added.
Consequently, the governor said that once the targeted institutions embrace clean cooking mechanisms, they will ultimately reduce the cost they incur in using electricity and firewood, hence curb the wanton destruction of forests in the county.
At the same time, Mutula observed that the use of firewood had also contributed to an increase in respiratory diseases and eye problems, saying there was a need to curb the worrying trend in the county.
“We have done mathematics for them and determined the cost they are spending on electricity and firewood. They can actually save nearly 40 percent by adopting clean energy cooking. So, it is a win- win situation, especially where schools are having problems with capitation,” said Mutula.
“The statistics of upper respiratory diseases in Makueni County is extremely alarming and is most likely due to smoke in our kitchens at home and schools. So, when looking at health matters, we need to conserve the environment to make it habitable,” reiterated the governor.
In this regard, Mutula said that any new public institutions being constructed in the county must have a plan on how they will harness the sun in order to use solar energy with a view to reducing dependence on firewood from the local forests.
He also said the county government had already embarked on a comprehensive clean cooking campaign through strategic partnerships and investments in renewable energy infrastructure, aimed at reducing dependence on firewood and charcoal.
“We are committed to ensuring that public institutions embrace sustainable energy solutions that protect our environment, improve public health and lower the cost of energy,” Mutula said.
The governor revealed that already three County Technical Training Institutes (CTTIs) have adopted clean cooking energy, while adding that Matiliku Boys High School had also received equipment for use in cooking with a view to conserving the environment.
He added that the county’s clean energy agenda is guided by the Makueni County Energy Plan 2023–2032 and the Makueni Energy Policy 2025, both of which prioritize access to affordable, sustainable and reliable energy as a key driver of development.
Meanwhile, as part of efforts to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking technologies at the household level, the governor highlighted the recent distribution of 253 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders to residents of Kikumbulyu South.
On his part, Prof. Izael Pereira Da Silva, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Strathmore University, praised Makueni’s clean cooking initiative, describing it as a transformative programme that has positioned them among Kenya’s leading examples of sustainable energy adoption.
Da Silva warned that renewed investments in coal production and continued reliance on fossil fuels pose significant threats to global climate goals and the future of the planet.
He therefore called for the democratization of energy, urging governments and other stakeholders to empower communities to play a more active role in both energy production and consumption.
Addressing the same forum, Equity Foundation, Associate Director Energy and Climate Change, Dr. Julius Kamau, said there was a need to ensure the pressure on our forests and natural resources stops, saying poverty and lack of awareness were to blame.
Dr. Kamau said that as an organization, they have planted 45 million trees in the country, while saying that 500,000 of them have been planted in Makueni County, in efforts aimed at conserving the environment.
“We have planted 45 million tree seedlings, of which 500,000 are in Makueni county. As we grow trees, we must ensure that the pressure being put on our forests and natural resources due to poverty and lack of awareness is stopped. That is why we are having conversations with schools and households to embrace new technologies to cook,” he said.
On his part, Head of Clean Cooking Delivery Unit Benson Ireri said that the government intends to transition all households and public institutions to clean cooking by 2028.
“We have the Kenya Transition Cooking Strategy, a period between 2024 and 2028. President William Ruto has committed that by 2028, we need to transition all households and institutions to clean cooking,” Ireri said.
“If we can position cleaning as an investment opportunity, then we can be in a position to unlock the amount of capital that is required. That is why in March we launched a prospectus for all institutions. The President gave a directive that all public institutions need to transition to clean cooking,” he said.
Speaking at the forum, Makueni County, Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Chairperson Dr. Johnson Ndivo, called upon the Ministry of Education to facilitate schools to get financial credit facilities to hasten the use of clean cooking in their institutions.
“We have engaged and now we have a solution. It is time to unlock the uncertainty that has been there about clean energy. I want to make a plea to the government through the State Department of Education to facilitate us securing credits, so that schools can benefit from this good product we have been talking about for a long time,” he observed.
The forum agreed unanimously to make more investments in renewable energy, so that there will be a faster transition away from fossil fuels.
The event was also attended by several other partners, including officials from Kenya Commercial Bank, UK PACT, CLAPSY and the County Executive for Infrastructure, Transport and Energy Eng. Peter Mumo, among others.
The forum brought together county officials, development partners, technology providers, financiers, educators and Ward Energy Champions to deliberate on practical strategies to expand access to clean cooking technologies and accelerate renewable energy adoption across Makueni County.
By Patrick Nyakundi
