Siaya, Kenya – Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Hon. James Opiyo Wandayi, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2028, describing the transition as a critical public health, environmental and economic priority.
Speaking during the opening of a two-day Respiratory Medical Camp at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Siaya Campus on Saturday, the Cabinet Secretary said access to clean cooking solutions is essential not only for energy security but also for protecting millions of Kenyans from preventable respiratory illnesses.
The medical camp was organized through a partnership between the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the County Government of Siaya, KMTC Siaya Campus, the Chronic Disease Society and other healthcare partners.
Addressing government officials, healthcare professionals and community members, Hon. Wandayi emphasized that energy policies directly influence the health and well-being of households across the country.
“When we speak about energy, many people think about electricity, petroleum or infrastructure. However, energy is also about the air we breathe in our homes, the health of our families, and the opportunities available to our communities,” he said.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, approximately 9.1 million Kenyan households continue to rely on traditional cooking fuels such as firewood and charcoal, exposing millions of women, children and elderly citizens to harmful household air pollution that contributes to respiratory diseases, eye complications and other health conditions.
To address this challenge, he highlighted the Government’s Kenya National Cooking Transition Strategy (2024–2028), which provides a comprehensive roadmap for accelerating the adoption of clean cooking technologies nationwide.
The strategy consolidates existing initiatives, including the Bioenergy Strategy, Bioethanol Masterplan, LPG Growth Strategy and Electric Cooking Strategy, into a coordinated national framework designed to provide households with a variety of safe, affordable and sustainable cooking options.
Hon. Wandayi noted that the Government recognizes that different communities have different energy needs and therefore supports multiple clean cooking solutions rather than a single nationwide approach.
Among the Ministry’s priority interventions are expanding the availability of clean cooking technologies, improving affordability for households, promoting local manufacturing of clean cooking equipment and fuels, and increasing public awareness of the health, environmental and economic benefits of clean cooking.
The Cabinet Secretary also underscored the role of the Integrated National Energy Plan (INEP) 2023–2043, which integrates clean cooking into both national and county energy planning.
He observed that the framework empowers county governments to develop localized energy solutions that reflect community needs, available resources, cultural practices and economic realities.
Hon. Wandayi encouraged county governments to leverage innovation, partnerships and investment to expand access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electric cooking technologies, bioethanol, biogas and improved cookstoves as part of Kenya’s broader clean energy agenda.
Beyond advancing clean energy, the Cabinet Secretary urged residents to take advantage of the free health screening services offered during the two-day medical camp, stressing that early diagnosis and prevention remain among the most effective ways to improve health outcomes.
The initiative reflects the growing collaboration between the energy and health sectors in addressing challenges associated with household air pollution while advancing Kenya’s broader sustainable development goals.
As Kenya accelerates its transition toward cleaner household energy, government officials say strengthening partnerships between national institutions, county governments, regulators and healthcare providers will remain essential in delivering cleaner air, healthier communities and improved quality of life for all Kenyans.
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