Kenya’s ambitious target to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030 has made remarkable strides nationally — with over 83% of the country’s electricity now generated from clean sources such as geothermal (940MW), hydro (839.5MW), solar (220.3MW), and wind (435.5MW).
According to Ms. Rukia Bakari, Senior Officer – Renewable Energy, the country is determined to expand clean power capacity and reduce carbon emissions through national commitments under SDG 7 and Net Zero contributions.
Photo courtesy: SEIA / Channel 15 News.
But even as the national grid grows greener, the reality on the ground in Kitui, Makueni, and Machakos counties tells a more complex story — one where energy access still depends heavily on firewood and charcoal, driving deforestation, soil degradation, and worsening climate vulnerability.
The Cost of Traditional Fuels in Lower Eastern
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS, 2024) shows that more than 68% of Kenyan households still rely on traditional fuels like firewood, charcoal, and kerosene for daily cooking.
In rural Kitui and Makueni, this figure rises dramatically — with over 80% of households dependent on firewood.
Photo courtesy: Nation Media Group (NMG) / Channel 15 News.
The consequences are visible:
Thousands of acres of woodland are cleared annually for charcoal production.
Rivers like Tiva, Athi, and Thua face reduced flow and siltation from unchecked logging.
Local rainfall patterns continue to shift, threatening agriculture and water security.
“When we talk about renewable energy, we must also talk about our trees,” said Ms. Bakari during her presentation.
“The clean energy revolution will not be complete until rural households transition away from firewood and charcoal to clean cooking solutions.”
Economic and Social Impact
A national shift to clean cooking could save 606.8 million hours annually, valued at US$16.6 million each year — equivalent to 790 hours per household saved from collecting firewood and inefficient cooking.
For women in Kitui and other rural regions, this time could instead be used for income-generating activities, education, or community development.
Clean cooking initiatives, such as biogas adoption, solar cookers, and LPG expansion, are slowly gaining traction across Lower Eastern, supported by county governments and development partners.
Linking Local and National Energy Goals
Kitui’s energy story mirrors Kenya’s broader energy transition — rich in renewable potential, yet challenged by rural access and affordability.
The county has vast untapped opportunities in:
Solar farms across its semi-arid plains,
Biomass briquette production from agricultural waste,
Community biogas systems for schools and institutions.
By connecting national policies with grassroots solutions, Kitui and the wider Lower Eastern region could become a model for localized renewable energy systems that restore ecosystems and empower communities.
“The future of energy in Kitui must be both clean and local,” said Onesmus Kilonzo, the Kitui County Director of Communications, during a Media Council of Kenya training and sensitization forum at the Kitui Multipurpose Centre. He was joined by county energy officers in emphasizing the county’s shift toward renewable sources. “When we use the sun instead of trees,” he added, “we protect both our livelihoods and our land
In Kitui County, the push toward renewable energy reflects both progress and persistent gaps in Kenya’s broader clean-energy agenda. Guided by its County Energy Masterplan and Energy Outlook Report, Kitui has committed to promoting affordable, sustainable power through solar expansion, LPG uptake, and off-grid electrification, in line with the national transition to 100% renewables by 2030. The county’s Charcoal Management Act of 2014 and the Climate Change Action Plan (2023-2027) further underscore efforts to curb deforestation and illegal charcoal trade, which continue to threaten forest cover in areas like Zombe and Mutha. Yet despite policy ambitions and community initiatives, over 70% of households still rely on firewood or charcoal for cooking, exposing families to health risks and environmental strain. As President William Ruto prepares to lead this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitui under the theme of “Clean Energy for a Sustainable Future,” the county stands as a symbolic frontier — where Kenya’s promise of clean, affordable power meets the reality of rural energy poverty. Implementing Kitui’s energy policies fully, investing in local LPG infrastructure, and harnessing untapped solar and coal potential in the Mui Basin could turn this promise into real progress for the Lower Eastern region.
