Tana River County takes bold step towards clean energy
Sponsored by Ministry of Energy and Petroleum
The distribution of clean cookstoves under the Accelerated Clean Cooking Action in Kenya project highlights the government’s dedication to addressing the health and environmental risks associated with traditional cooking methods.
By Diana Rotich
In a landmark event, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, through the State Department for Energy, officially launched the Tana River County Energy Plan, and at the same time distributed clean cookstoves to vulnerable households. The State Department also commissioned an electrification project in Nduru and Iqra Secondary School.
The events preceded the International Day of Clean Energy, observed globally on January 26. Established by the United Nations, the International Day of Clean Energy serves as a global call to action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Energy, Alex Wachira, emphasised that the day is more than just an awareness campaign, as it is also about taking tangible steps to ensure access to sustainable energy solutions.
“This celebration is a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future. We are launching projects that will directly impact the lives of Kenyans, particularly the most vulnerable among us,” said the PS.
As part of Kenya’s ambitious efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal No. 7 (Universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy), the government is accelerating clean energy initiatives. The launch of the Tana River County Energy Plan aligns with the national goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2030 and full access to clean cooking solutions by 2028.
Kenya’s energy sector continues to be dominated by renewable sources, with over 90 percent of the country’s electricity generated from clean energy.
Geothermal energy remains the primary source, contributing 44.6 percent of total power production, followed by hydropower at 22.5 percent, wind at 14.3 percent, and solar at 3.5 percent.
This transition is not just reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also driving economic growth through job creation and innovation in the energy sector.
To increase electricity access in underserved areas, the Ministry of Energy commissioned a new electrification project in Iqra Secondary School and Nduru area, set to benefit 347 households. “Electricity access is a game-changer for education, health, and economic opportunities,” PS Wachira said.
Additionally, the distribution of clean cookstoves under the Accelerated Clean Cooking Action in Kenya (ACCA) project highlights the government’s dedication to addressing the health and environmental risks associated with traditional cooking methods.
Household air pollution from firewood and charcoal cooking accounts for 23,000 deaths annually in Kenya. As of 2019, only 30 percent of Kenyans had access to clean cooking, underscoring the urgent need to bridge this gap.
“We are investing in multiple clean cooking solutions, including improved briquettes and pellets, biomass cookstoves, biogas, bioethanol, LPG, and electric cooking. The Kenya National Cooking Transition Strategy is a step towards sustainable energy use,” added the Principal Secretary.
The Ministry is also leading the development of the Integrated National Energy Plan (INEP), which mandates counties to formulate own County Energy Plans (CEP). These frameworks aim to foster partnerships between the government, private sector, and development organisations to expand access to clean energy.
International partnerships continue to play a crucial role in Kenya’s energy transformation. PS Wachira acknowledged the support of development partners, including the Government of Japan, UNDP, and GIZ, in implementing clean energy projects.
“We urge the public to engage with private sector actors to access affordable and efficient clean cooking solutions. Transitioning to clean energy starts with individual choices, and together, we can build a more sustainable and equitable energy future,” he concluded.
The launch of the Tana River County Energy Plan and related initiatives marks a critical milestone in Kenya’s clean energy transition, reinforcing the government’s resolve to ensure that no one is left behind in the journey towards a greener future.
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Diana Rotich is a Communications Officer with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum
