Select Households are set to benefit from a KSh1.1 billion government-backed programme to support the uptake of 100,000 electric cooking appliances.
The Cabinet approved the programme at a meeting at State House on Friday, October 9, alongside other measures targeting energy access, road infrastructure, water supply, and healthcare services.
According to a Cabinet dispatch, the electric cooking programme is valued at USD8.8 million, equivalent to about KSh1.1 billion, and is intended to encourage households to adopt cleaner cooking methods and reduce reliance on traditional fuels such as firewood and charcoal.
4 Counties to Benefit from Govt Clean Cooking Programme
The programme will target households in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado counties, where the government plans to support the adoption of electric cooking appliances.
“A separate USD8.8 million (approximately KSh1.1 billion) electric cooking programme will support the uptake of 100,000 electric cooking appliances in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado counties,” the Cabinet dispatch stated.
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The government said the initiative would promote cleaner cooking methods while reducing households’ exposure to smoke from traditional fuels.
“The Cabinet-endorsed initiative will promote cleaner cooking, reduce household exposure to harmful smoke and accelerate the transition to modern energy,” the dispatch stated.
The programme forms part of the government’s wider efforts to increase the use of modern energy technologies in households and reduce the health risks associated with cooking using traditional fuels.
Cabinet Adopts KSh2.47 Trillion Energy Investment Plan
The electric cooking programme was approved alongside the Kenya National Energy Compact, a framework designed to mobilise approximately KSh2.47 trillion, equivalent to USD19 billion, in investments in the energy sector.
Under the plan, the government aims to connect an additional 5.1 million households to electricity by 2030.
The expansion aims to improve electricity access in underserved communities while supporting businesses, industrial development, and job creation.
More electricity connections are also expected to give households access to modern energy options, including electric cooking appliances.
The clean cooking programme and the broader energy investment plan are part of the measures approved by Cabinet to expand access to energy and support economic activity.
Three Major Road Corridors Approved
Cabinet also approved the advancement of three strategic road corridors under the Roads for Rural Economic Development Programme.
The projects include the 253-kilometre South Rift-Lake Region Gateway Corridor, the 256-kilometre Great Highlands Connectivity Corridor and the approximately 400-kilometre Lake Victoria Ring Road.
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According to the Cabinet dispatch, the roads will connect agricultural production areas, fishing communities and trading centres to wider markets.
The projects are expected to cut transport costs and travel times while improving market access for farmers, traders and other businesses.
Improved road connections are also expected to make it easier for communities to transport agricultural produce and other goods to commercial centres, creating better links between rural production areas and markets.
KSh12.83 Billion Additional Funding for Thwake Dam
Cabinet further approved KSh12.83 billion in additional financing to complete the Thwake Multipurpose Dam project.
The dam is expected to supply 150,000 cubic metres of water daily to approximately 1.3 million people in Makueni and Kitui counties.
The planned supply will serve residents of the two counties, including those in Wote town and the Konza Technopolis area.
Beyond supplying water for households and other users, the project is expected to support irrigation and future hydropower generation.
The additional financing is intended to support the completion of the multipurpose project, which is expected to contribute to long-term water security and agricultural activity in the region.
Cabinet Approves Major Hospital Expansion Programme
In the health sector, Cabinet endorsed a hospital infrastructure programme to increase capacity and improve access to specialised medical services.
The programme includes the construction of a new 2,000-bed Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and a 1,000-bed Level Six hospital in Mombasa.
It will also support the expansion of 13 Level Five hospitals, with each facility set to receive an additional 300 beds.
The targeted counties are Mandera, Marsabit, Turkana, Kilifi, Embu, Nakuru, Laikipia, Migori, Nyamira, Baringo, Bomet, Narok and Kisii.
Cabinet said the investment would increase the number of available hospital beds, ease pressure on referral facilities and bring specialised healthcare services closer to patients.
The expansion is expected to strengthen the capacity of the targeted hospitals to handle more patients while improving access to treatment in different parts of the country.
KSh8 Billion Healthcare Programme with France
Cabinet also approved a separate KSh8 billion healthcare programme in partnership with France.
The programme will establish and equip specialised head and neck surgical units at Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital.
In addition to the surgical units, the programme will strengthen cancer treatment services and support the training of 5,000 community health workers.
The investment is intended to improve specialised healthcare services while strengthening the capacity of health facilities and personnel to provide treatment.
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