EPRA Roots for Clean Cooking for Better Respiratory Health
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) in partnership with the Siaya County Government, Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Siaya and the Chronic Diseases Society have urged households in the county and the country to embrace clean cooking alternatives as part of efforts to reduce household air pollution, improve health, and promote sustainable energy use.
Guided by the Siaya County Climate Change Action Plan (2023-2028), the county is keen on reducing demand for biomass energy and educating locals on the importance of transitioning to clean cooking solutions. When fuels such as wood, charcoal, kerosene, diesel, and petrol are burned, they release smoke and pollutants into the air. Breathing in these pollutants over time can increase the risk of respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, allergies, and other lung diseases, which is why we are advocating a shift away from them.
Speaking during a medical camp held in Siaya County, the Acting Director General, EPRA, Dr Eng. Joseph Oketch said that the Authority is playing its part to promote the use of clean cooking in the country. “EPRA has worked closely with stakeholders to create a safe and enabling regulatory environment for the adoption of clean cooking solutions such as electric cooking, LPG and biogas. Through licensing and oversight of the energy sector, we have supported the expansion of safe and reliable infrastructure nationwide, developed regulations and standards that encourage investment and innovation, and implemented consumer awareness initiatives to promote the safe use of clean cooking technologies.”
The two-day free medical camp saw residents access free consultations, respiratory screening, diagnosis and treatment services, alongside sensitisation sessions on clean cooking solutions, energy efficiency, and practical measures to reduce exposure to household air pollution.
Currently, about 9.1 million people or 68.5 per cent of households in Kenya comprising of about 1.7 million urban households and 7.4 million rural households depend on traditional cooking fuels as their primary source of energy for heating, lighting and cooking purposes, exposing them to smoke and indoor pollution, thereby putting them at risk of respiratory illnesses.