A Smoky Reality: The Struggles of Rural Kitchens in Kenya

A Smoky Reality: The Struggles of Rural Kitchens in Kenya
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By Brenda Holo 

In Ravine, Baringo County, Maurine Oduor’s kitchen is a battlefield. For two decades, the 31-year-old mother has relied on firewood for cooking, but this traditional method comes at a heavy cost. 

“The smoke gives me a constant runny nose, coughs, and teary eyes,” she explains. Her children suffer too, with persistent coughing and soot-covered lungs—a silent but persistent reminder of the dangers lurking in their kitchen. 

Despite being acutely aware of these health risks, Maurine feels trapped. With limited income and fears about the safety of gas stoves, cleaner alternatives remain out of reach.

Margaret Kerubo, a cook at Kagoto Vocational Training Center, shares a similar plight. “Sometimes I feel dizzy, get light headaches, and have a persistent cough because of the smoke,” she admits. 

MagretKerubo, a cook at Kogoto Vocational training centre in the kitchen 

Margaret’s experience reflects the stark reality for countless women who rely on firewood in rural Kenya. These smoky, soot-filled kitchens are a silent health hazard, exacerbating respiratory and other illnesses.

A 2019 report by the Ministry of Energy painted a grim picture: household air pollution (HAP) caused by burning firewood and charcoal is one of Kenya’s leading health threats, responsible for approximately 21,560 deaths annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the global impact, noting that 2.3 billion people still cook using open fires or inefficient stoves, generating harmful household air pollution.

“Household air pollution was responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year in 2020, including over 237,000 deaths of children under the age of 5,” WHO reports. “The combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution are associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually.”

For Maurine, like many women in rural Kenya, the problem goes beyond awareness of the dangers. As a vendor at a roadside vegetable stand, her income is unpredictable, and the cost of alternative cooking methods like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is unaffordable. 

“I fear using gas because of the risk of explosions,” she adds, echoing a common concern in her community. This fear, coupled with economic constraints, has entrenched the reliance on firewood and charcoal.

Organizations such as Practical Action are working to address this issue, offering sustainable solutions to reduce household air pollution while empowering local communities. 

One such initiative is the Improved Cook Stove (ICS) program, supported by Energising Development and the Green Climate Fund. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently, reducing smoke emissions and improving air quality in rural homes.

Jonathan Waita, a programme manager at Practical Action 

“Since we started, around 700,000 people have benefitted from clean cooking solutions in counties like Baringo, Nakuru, Nyandarua, and Kericho,” says Jonathan Waita, a program manager at Practical Action. 

“We’ve distributed nearly 200,000 stoves, reducing respiratory illnesses, eye infections, and environmental damage caused by deforestation.”

For women like Margaret, the benefits of ICS are life-changing. After her school adopted improved cook stoves two months ago, she has noticed significant changes. 

“We use less firewood now, and there’s less smoke. I no longer experience headaches, teary eyes, or coughing,” she says with relief.

The stoves have also proven to be cost-effective. According to Practical Action, they reduce fuel consumption by up to a third, offering a financial reprieve to families.

Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship

Beyond improving health and environmental outcomes, the ICS initiative is creating opportunities for rural entrepreneurs. Lilian Obondo, a vendor in Bama Market, joined Practical Action in March 2021, motivated by a desire to conserve the environment. 

Lilian Obondo an entreprenuer in Bama market, Nakuru county selling Improved Cook Stoves

Now a distributor of ICS products, Lilian sells stoves ranging from Ksh 400 for smaller units to Ksh 10,000 for institutional stoves designed for schools and hotels.

“I wanted to make a difference,” Lilian says. “With support from Practical Action, I’ve been trained in marketing, business management, and finance, which has helped me grow my business.”

Similarly, Josephine Abongo, a vendor in Nakuru’s Burma Market, has embraced the initiative. “The stoves are made using clay mixed with soil, cement, and water, and fired under high heat to ensure durability,” she explains. 

Josphine Abongo expounding on Improved Cook Stoves 

Last month alone, Josephine sold 117 stoves and over 2,200 stove liners, underscoring the growing demand for these products.

Despite its success, Practical Action faces challenges in promoting clean cooking solutions. Many rural families view ICS as expensive, while cultural preferences for traditional cooking methods remain deeply ingrained. Inconsistent policies and regulatory hurdles also hinder the growth of the sector.

Kenya’s National Clean Transition Strategy (KNCTS) aims to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2028, but the journey is far from over. For women like Maurine, who are still battling the daily smoke in their kitchens, the promise of cleaner, safer cooking methods remains a distant dream.

“Household air pollution exposure leads to noncommunicable diseases, including stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer,” observes WHO. 

“Women and children bear the greatest health burden, as they are typically responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood.”

For Maurine, Margaret, and others in similar circumstances, change is urgently needed. The Improved Cook Stove initiative offers a glimmer of hope, proving that with the right support, it is possible to transform lives, protect health, and safeguard the environment.