The majority of people in Kakuma and Kalobeyei (94-96%) rely on firewood and/or charcoal for cooking, which can have negative impacts on health and the environment if inefficient stoves and methods are used. This has led to respiratory diseases, according to local healthcare providers, and worsened deforestation issues in Turkana County.

Energy access in Kakuma and Kalobeyei ranges from a KPLC-operated diesel mini-grid (3%) to solar lanterns (29%), SHS (16%), component-based solar systems, diesel/petrol generators, and solar mini-grid systems (11%). Other sources for lighting include torches, mobile phones, firewood, and candles.

 While there are locally-produced biomass stoves available in the camp, their uptake is limited due to high initial costs and refugees' limited access to formal financial services.

Approach

The project aims to enhance access to clean cooking and solar-powered solutions in the Kakuma refugee camp, Kalobeyei integrated settlement, and the surrounding communities. It will do so by employing a market-based strategy, providing technical support to private sector entities involved in stove and solar supply, including manufacturers, distributors, and their local partners. This assistance will benefit both existing players in the energy refugee market and new entrants.

Objectives

• Accelerate access to household lighting for the poor and vulnerable communities in refugee set-up.

• Facilitate supply and adoption of affordable and appropriate stand-alone solar systems for productive use in business settings (for use by MSMEs).

• Strengthen local production of cookstoves and explore the introduction of appropriate and affordable higher-tier biomass stoves for production at the local level.

• Strengthen distribution and enhance adoption of clean cookstoves for households.

• Facilitate access to credit for the end users of the off-grid solar systems and clean cooking solutions in a refugee set-up.

• Improving the enabling environment in the refugee market to enhance private sector investment and participation in the humanitarian energy sector.