- Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has pledged that all new public institutions will adopt clean energy solutions.
- The move aims to reduce deforestation, lower energy costs and address health risks associated with biomass fuels.
- The county is implementing clean cooking initiatives under its long-term energy transition strategy.
By Lydia Ngoolo
Schools Among Largest Firewood Consumers
Schools are among the largest consumers of firewood in Makueni County, alongside health facilities and technical training institutions, a trend that Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr says is accelerating deforestation, increasing energy costs and exposing residents to health risks associated with biomass fuel use.
To address the challenge, the governor has pledged that all new public institutions established under his administration, including schools, will adopt clean energy solutions instead of relying on firewood and other forms of biomass.
County Commits to Clean Energy Transition
“We are transitioning to clean energy and whether the new buildings are undergoing construction or renovations, they must adopt clean energy,” said Mutula.
The governor spoke at Konza Technopolis during the Green Energy Promotion and Clean Cooking Advocacy Forum, where he said the county had already begun implementing clean cooking initiatives through strategic partnerships and investments in renewable energy infrastructure aimed at reducing dependence on firewood and charcoal.
Policy Framework Supporting Transition
Mutula noted that the county’s energy transition is anchored in the Makueni County Energy Plan 2023–2032 and the Makueni Energy Policy 2025, which place clean, affordable and sustainable energy at the centre of development planning.
The governor further highlighted the distribution of 253 LPG cylinders in Kikumbulyu South as part of the county’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking technologies at the household level.
Experts Call for Accelerated Decarbonisation
Speaking at the same forum, Prof. Izael Pereira Da Silva, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Strathmore University, described Makueni’s clean cooking transition as a transformative agenda that has positioned the county among Kenya’s leading examples of sustainable energy adoption.
He urged accelerated decarbonisation, warning that renewed investment in coal production and continued dependence on fossil fuels posed a significant threat to the future of the planet.
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Prof. Da Silva also called for the democratisation of energy, saying communities should be empowered to participate more actively in energy production and consumption.
The forum brought together development partners, county officials, technology providers, financiers and educators to explore practical solutions for accelerating clean cooking and renewable energy adoption across Makueni County.
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