(Nairobi) – In Kenya, the typical school kitchen has long relied on firewood for cooking, with thick smoke and soot-filled air common sights and smells. However, as part of an ongoing effort to reduce environmental impact and improve health conditions, some schools are making the shift to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), aided by grants and financial support from KCB Bank.
KCB Foundation has committed to covering 70% of the installation costs for LPG facilities in schools, offering grants of up to 30% of the cost. This effort aims to help schools make the transition to cleaner energy sources while easing financial constraints on installation.
At Sinaga Girls’ Secondary School in Siaya County, the switch from firewood to LPG has brought noticeable improvements. Before adopting LPG, the school used over 10 truckloads of firewood every term, which often fluctuated in quality and added uncertainty to budgeting for cooking needs. With LPG now installed, the school’s cooking process is more efficient, and the kitchen environment is smoke-free.
This change has had a positive impact on both staff and students. Christine Atieno, the head cook, describes how LPG has streamlined meal preparation. Unlike with firewood, where hours were spent splitting logs, cooks now work in a cleaner and more efficient kitchen environment. “We are now cooking faster and in a cleaner space,” Atieno says, adding that the absence of smoke has also improved the team’s health.
Gregory Ochieng, a teacher at Got Matar Secondary School, shares a similar experience. Previously a student at Got Matar, he recalls the challenges posed by firewood cooking. Wet or low-quality firewood often delayed meals, forcing students to choose between eating and arriving on time for classes. Since the LPG transition, the school has seen an improvement in food quality and meal scheduling, significantly benefiting students’ routines and health.
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The impact extends beyond convenience and health improvements. Before installing LPG, Got Matar Secondary School consumed up to 12 truckloads of firewood every term, contributing to deforestation. By reducing firewood use, schools are lessening their impact on forests, aligning with Kenya’s broader environmental goals.
Deputy Principal Jane Nyabera of Sinaga Girls highlights additional benefits, such as the 10,000-liter water tank donated by KCB as a gesture of support. The LPG tank itself lasts between nine and ten weeks, providing energy for over 1,000 students, staff, and teachers.
Both Sinaga Girls and Got Matar Secondary Schools are part of a growing network of over 70 institutions across Kenya benefiting from KCB’s green initiative. The KCB Foundation has provided more than Sh72 million in grants to promote eco-friendly cooking energy. This initiative is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 7, and 13, focused on good health and well-being, affordable clean energy, and climate action.
In its 2023 Sustainability Report, KCB Bank emphasized its commitment to sustainable lending practices, with 15% of its loan portfolio allocated to green loans. This funding is designed to support projects that advance sustainable energy, environmental conservation, and public health.
According to Ochieng and Nyabera, KCB’s LPG grants are helping schools address the adverse effects of firewood use. Ochieng points out that firewood dependency has harmful environmental effects, including deforestation and soil erosion, which can reduce agricultural productivity. He encourages other schools to consider green energy options like LPG.
With KCB’s support, Kenyan schools are increasingly able to transition to cleaner, more efficient energy sources for cooking, benefiting the environment, enhancing students’ health and educational experience, and helping Kenya achieve its sustainability targets.