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Validating the Kenya National electric Cooking Strategy (KNeCS): A New Perspective in Clean Cooking

Written by

Nuvoni@dmin

Post Date

October 18, 2024

category
- News

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The 20th of June 2024 marked an inflection point in the clean cooking sector in Kenya. The Nuvoni Centre for Innovation Research, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS), and stakeholders in the energy sector, came together to validate the Kenya National eCooking Strategy (KNeCS). This milestone marked the culmination of an inclusive, collaborative, and consultative strategy development process, signaling the start of a unified approach toward Kenya’s goal of achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2028.

A New Focus on eCooking in Kenya’s Clean Energy Transition

The KNeCS offers a powerful new direction for accelerating the clean cooking transition in Kenya, especially by integrating electric cooking (eCooking) into the broader agenda. While eCooking has long been overlooked, the strategy development process has brought to light its enormous potential to drive Kenya’s clean cooking movement forward. With the validation of this strategy, stakeholders are now better equipped to explore the contribution of eCooking to achieving Kenya’s clean energy targets.

At the heart of the KNeCS is its ambitious vision: to “transform the cooking and electrification landscape in Kenya through increasing adoption and sustained use of energy-efficient eCooking solutions.” The strategy positions eCooking as not just a clean cooking alternative but a multifaceted opportunity to improve health, create jobs, promote gender equity, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions. One of the most striking insights from the workshop was the realization that 69.1% of Kenyan households already have access to electricity systems capable of supporting eCooking, yet only 0.58% are currently cooking with electricity as their primary cooking fuel. As show in the following Sankey diagram, there is immense potential for mass transition to eCooking.

Ambitious Targets for a Sustainable eCooking Future

Recognizing the gap between potential and actual transitions, KNeCS sets clear, time-bound targets aimed at establishing a thriving eCooking marketplace within the next five years. These goals focus on improving access, affordability, and innovation in eCooking technologies. Importantly, KNeCS also aligns with Kenya’s 2050 net-zero ambitions, positioning eCooking as a key pillar in the country’s long-term climate strategy.

The Validation Workshop: A Unifying Force for Stakeholders

The validation workshop achieved its goal of uniting diverse stakeholders behind a shared vision and roadmap for scaling up eCooking in Kenya. Participants from government, the private sector, research institutions, academia, and the civil society came together, all agreeing on the inclusivity and rigor of the strategy development process. The extensive process leading up to the validation included technical working group sessions, four rounds of peer review, and multiple stakeholder workshops, ensuring that all voices were heard.

One participant captured the essence of the event, noting, “This is a move away from a government initiative to a government-private sector-all stakeholder initiative.” This comment highlighted a shift in approach from previous strategies, which had struggled with implementation due to limited stakeholder engagement. There was a unanimous call to focus on resource mobilization as the next critical step, ensuring the strategy moves from paper to action.

A Clear Path Forward

While KNeCS represents a significant milestone, stakeholders agreed that the real measure of success will be in its implementation and the prioritization of its action plan, particularly in mobilizing resources to support the eCooking transition. The strategy has already begun to influence the sector, informing other important initiatives, such as the Least-Cost Power Development Plan (LCPDP). Moving forward, consistent monitoring and evaluation will be essential to track progress and ensure that the strategy delivers on its promise.
As Kenya takes a leap into the future of eCooking, we at Nuvoni are deeply grateful to all the stakeholders in the clean cooking sector for their contributions and support. The validation of KNeCS represents not just the end of a strategy development process, but the beginning of a coordinated, impactful journey toward a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.