PLAN TO TRANSITION TO CLEAN COOKING ON COURSE

By Nicholas Kigondu

The State Department for Correctional Services plans to transition to clean cooking by the end of next financial year in a move aimed at moving away from unsustainably harvested and inefficiently burned biomass.

According to Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco, the plan which will be implemented through a Rapid Results Initiative strategy, will allow for the adoption of clean cooking solutions across all correctional facilities in the country for both the Kenya Prisons Service and Probation and Aftercare Service.

The PS said the transition has been motivated by a need to cut energy costs, which continues to constitute significant budgetary burden with substantial funds spent annually on firewood for cooking, as well as align with the broader government agenda of adopting cleaner cooking solutions to mitigate the negative impacts associated with the use of traditional fuels.

Besides reducing the cost associated with firewood, the PS said a complete shift to cleaner, non-solid fuels will in turn improve indoor air quality thereby improving health outcomes for those living within correctional settings.

A technical team is already developing a workplan to actualize the aspirations, with a committee comprising of officers from the department and experts drawn from relevant government ministries and departments set to be constituted to implement the plan.

The Lang’ata Women’s Maximum Prison has already successfully transitioned to modern LPG gas cookers in its kitchen in a move that has enhanced safety and reduced smoke exposure besides reducing operational costs.

Embu women prison has also achieved a 100% transition from firewood to clean biogas for cooking through conversion of organic and human waste into renewable energy.