The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Petroleum, Mr. Mohammed Liban, led a high-level delegation on an inspection tour of Bahari Girls and Shimo La Tewa National Schools in Mombasa County as part of the government’s ongoing LPG Adoption Project.
These schools are among the pioneering 20 institutions selected for the pilot phase of the project, which aims to transition learning institutions from traditional biomass fuels to clean, sustainable cooking solutions through the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
During the visit, PS Liban expressed satisfaction with the progress of the initiative, praising both schools for embracing modern cooking technologies.
“This is about more than just gas,” he said. “It’s about our health, our environment, and the future of our country. What we’re witnessing here is a meaningful shift in how we care for our children, our staff, and our natural resources.”
The schools reported significant improvements since the transition to LPG. Bahari Girls Principal, Ms. Sylvano Hamaro, noted that the switch has drastically enhanced kitchen operations.
“Previously, we relied heavily on firewood and charcoal, which was costly and posed health risks to our kitchen staff. Now, with LPG, we’re saving both time and money, and the kitchen environment is much healthier,” she said.
Shimo La Tewa Principal Mr. Mathew Mutiso shared similar sentiments, emphasising the improved efficiency and working conditions.
“Meal preparation now takes less time, and our kitchens are no longer filled with smoke and soot. The food is cleaner, and the process is safer,” he added.
Kitchen staff from both institutions also welcomed the change, highlighting reduced workload and better work conditions.
“LPG has made our jobs easier—we’re no longer chopping firewood or inhaling smoke all day. Even the food tastes better,” said one of the cooks.
The Principal Secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to scaling up the program nationwide.
“The success we’ve seen here proves that this initiative is not only viable but essential. Every kitchen that switches to LPG is a step toward a greener, healthier, and more efficient Kenya,” he said.
As part of the project’s long-term sustainability plan, the government is also facilitating training on safe LPG use, equipment maintenance, and best practices.
The LPG in Schools Project is a key component of Kenya’s broader push for clean energy and environmental conservation. By reducing reliance on firewood and charcoal, the initiative contributes directly to national goals on deforestation, carbon emissions, and climate resilience as outlined in Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
