By Dorothy Musyoka
Kenya has strengthened its partnership with Saudi Arabia to advance clean cooking solutions through the distribution of LPG stoves.
Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale hosted a high-level delegation from the Saudi Arabian Government, led by Dr. Abdul Karim Almutairi (Senior Advisor) and Eng. Reema Al-Ashgar ( manager- Nairobi ) from the Clean Cooking Project.
According to the CS the delegation held discussions with Kenyan officials to outline the transformative initiative to adopt clean cooking through LPG stoves.
“We discussed Kenya’s partnership with Saudi Arabia to accelerate clean cooking adoption through LPG stoves,” stated CS Aden Duale.
The environment CS noted that, Kenya would receive a $20 million grant to scale up LPG stove distribution nationwide under the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) under the BETA plan.
“Kenya will receive a $20 million grant under the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) to scale up LPG stove distribution nationwide, advancing climate action, public health and livelihoods under the Kenya Kwanza administration’s BETA plan,” he added.
According to Environment Cabinet Secretary Hon Aden Duale, the initiative aligns with the Kenya Kwanza administration’s BETA plan, fostering climate action, public health improvements, and economic opportunities for women and youth.
However, the meeting held ahead of COP16 in Riyadh next month, also highlighted the upcoming visit of Saudi Energy Minister HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman to Kenya next year.
NEMA’s Director General, Mamo Mamo, was present to reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to environmental sustainability.