Project to cushion locals from high charcoal prices

Five thousand households in Kitui, Nakuru and Garissa counties are set to benefit from a government-funded project that seeks to reduce daily charcoal and fire wood consumption by 70 per cent. The project, which also seeks to anchor Kenya into the international Carbon Credit trading, will provide residents with clean cooking stoves and solar lighting appliances that will enhance environmental sustainability, climate change resilience and low carbon emission.
The project is funded by the government through the Kenya Wildlife Service and will be implemented by Green Africa Foundation, an environmental organisation that champions sustainable use and management of natural resources. Speaking during a one-day sensitisation forum for the Kitui county  leaders in Kitui town yesterday, Green Africa’s founder, Isaac Kalua, said the project will also improve the socio-economic and health conditions of beneficiaries.
“This project targets specifically households living in areas suffering from massive deforestation or near protected areas such as national parks and reserves,” he said. Kalua said most families are forced to buy firewood because they are prohibited from accessing protected forests.
“For these people to enjoy cooking and at the same actively participate in conserving environment, the project will introduce to each of the 5,000 households clean cooking stoves and solar lighting appliance,” said Kalua said. Among those who attended the forum include Governor Julius Malombe, KWS deputy director William Waweru, Auditor-General Edward Ouko and members of the National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee.