COURTESY CALL

On behalf of the Governor, H. E. Dr. Fernandes Barasa, the Deputy Governor, H. E. Hon. Ayub Savula hosted a delegation from the British High Commission, led by the Commission’s Climate Change Portfolio Manager, Ms. Robinah Abuya, at the County Headquarters.

The multi-sectoral team is in the County to launch clean alternative sources of energy through the Accelerating County Cooking Transitions (A2CT) Project.

The project, implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, is designed to support the Universal Access to Clean Cooking Goal under the Kenya National Cooking Transition Strategy and Energy Policy 2025–2034.

The initiative aims to accelerate the transition to clean cooking solutions in Taita Taveta, Meru, and Kakamega counties by addressing systemic barriers through evidence-based policy development, capacity building, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

Hon. Savula lauded the project, noting that it will help reduce reliance on firewood for domestic use—an issue that has exerted significant pressure on the natural forests in Kakamega.

The project will also strengthen county governance and promote inclusive policies that reduce household air pollution, improve public health, and create economic opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Those present during the meeting included CECM for Roads and Energy, Arch. Patrick Kundu; Chief Officer for Roads and Energy, Eng. Sweta; Chief Officer for Administration, Mr. Dan Sumba; Chief Officer for Public Works, Mr. Pascal Were; Rebecca Hallam, Country Director, SNV Kenya and Burundi; Edna Maina; Joseph Chumo, Assistant Director, Renewable Energy (Ministry of Energy); John Ngigi, Sector Lead Energy, SNV Kenya; and Mariam Karanja, Project Manager, A2CT.