Accelerating the Electrification of Cooking in Kenya’s Urban Informal Settlements

The report evaluates the potential for adopting electric cooking (eCooking) among households and food businesses in Nairobi’s informal settlements, particularly Mathare. Using household surveys, cooking diaries, market mapping, vendor interviews, and appliance testing (notably electric pressure cookers), it explores existing cooking practices, electricity access (formal vs informal), barriers like cost, safety, and awareness, and market constraints. Key findings include widespread informal electricity connections, strong interest in electric cooking (especially where cooking methods and dishes are compatible), and critical needs around appliance design, financing, and regulatory support. The study concludes with recommendations for scalable interventions, inclusive policy alignment under Kenya’s National Electric Cooking Strategy, and strategies for improving market access, safety, and affordability for low-income and informal settlement residents.