Prepared from the Kenya Energy Crops Policy Review Report for stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, and online publication
Prepared for Practical Action Eastern Africa under the ELMECC Project by IML Digital (Policy & Digitization Partner) 
May 2026

Special appreciation to the following policy reviewers for their invaluable contributions and insights:

  • Lead Policy Reviewer: Dr. Ernest Njoroge
  • Secondary Reviewers: Damaris Mitalo & Ibrahim Addero

Executive Summary

Kenya’s transition toward bioenergy and clean cooking systems is increasingly dependent on land use decisions, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience. Energy crops such as cassava, sugarcane, sorghum, sweet sorghum, castor, and croton present significant opportunities for renewable energy production, rural livelihoods, and reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels.

However, expansion of energy crop systems introduces important environmental and land use considerations, including competition between food and fuel production, pressure on water resources, biodiversity loss, soil degradation and land tenure challenges, particularly in fragile ecosystems such as ASAL counties.

The Kenya Energy Crops Policy Review identifies land use governance and environmental management as critical enablers for a sustainable bioenergy sector. While Kenya has strong national frameworks such as the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), the National Land Use Policy, and climate change legislation, implementation at county level remains weak and fragmented.

Strengthening integrated land use planning, environmental safeguards, and climate-resilient agricultural systems is essential to ensure that bioenergy development contributes to sustainable development rather than environmental degradation.

 

County and National Context

Kenya’s land use system is characterized by high ecological diversity, ranging from high rainfall agricultural zones to fragile ASAL ecosystems. This diversity creates both opportunities and risks for energy crop development.

Key land use contexts include:

·         High potential agricultural zones (Nakuru, Kisumu): suitable for sugarcane, maize, sorghum, and mixed farming systems with bioenergy integration potential

·         ASAL counties (Kilifi, Kajiado): suitable for drought-tolerant crops such as cassava, sweet sorghum, castor, and croton

·         Urban and peri-urban zones (Nairobi): limited cultivation potential but high demand for bioenergy systems and waste-to-energy solutions

·         Coastal and fragile ecosystems (Kilifi): high vulnerability to deforestation, soil degradation and climate change impacts

Across all regions, land is under increasing pressure from agriculture, urbanization, forestry loss, and energy demand.

 

Land Use and Environmental Situation in Kenya’s Bioenergy Sector

1. Dependence on Biomass and Land Pressure

Traditional biomass energy systems remain the dominant source of household energy, placing significant pressure on land and forest ecosystems:

·         Deforestation driven by charcoal production

·         Unsustainable firewood harvesting

·         Expansion of agricultural land into marginal ecosystems

·         Degradation of communal rangelands in ASAL counties

Charcoal production in particular continues to contribute to forest loss in many counties, despite existing regulatory frameworks.

2. Land Use Competition Between Food and Energy Crops

Energy crop expansion introduces a critical land use trade-off:

·         Sugarcane competes directly with food production and water resources

·         Cassava serves both as a food and energy crop, creating dual-use pressure

·         Sorghum and sweet sorghum offer lower competition risk but require market development

·         Biodiesel crops such as castor and croton present lower food security conflict but limited investment scale

Without clear land use planning, there is a risk of undermining food security objectives.

3. Environmental Degradation Risks

Expansion of poorly managed energy crop systems can lead to:

·         Deforestation and loss of tree cover

·         Soil nutrient depletion and acidification

·         Biodiversity loss from mono-cropping systems

·         Water stress from irrigation-intensive crops

·         Encroachment into fragile ecosystems and wetlands

These risks are especially pronounced in ASAL counties and lake basin ecosystems.

4. Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation

Kenya’s agricultural and energy systems are highly vulnerable to climate change:

·         Increasing drought frequency in ASAL regions

·         Erratic rainfall affecting crop yields

·         Flooding in low-lying and coastal areas

·         Reduced biomass productivity in degraded lands

Energy crops such as cassava and sweet sorghum present strong climate adaptation potential due to their drought resistance and ability to grow in marginal soils.

 

Existing Policy and Institutional Frameworks

National Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA)

Provides the legal framework for environmental protection, impact assessment, and sustainable resource use.

National Land Use Policy

Guides allocation and zoning of land resources to balance agriculture, settlement, industry, and conservation.

Climate Change Act (2016) and National Climate Action Plan

Supports climate-resilient development and access to climate finance for mitigation and adaptation.

Bioenergy Strategy (2020–2027)

Promotes sustainable biomass sourcing, modern bioenergy systems, and reduced environmental impact of energy production.

Energy Act (2019)

Mandates counties to develop County Energy Plans that integrate land use, energy access, and local resource management.

Despite these frameworks, enforcement and coordination remain weak at county level.

 

Key Environmental and Land Use Challenges

1. Weak Land Use Planning and Zoning

Most counties lack clear zoning for:

·         Energy crop cultivation

·         Sustainable biomass production

·         Industrial bioenergy development

This leads to uncoordinated expansion and land conflict.

2. Unsustainable Charcoal Production

Charcoal remains largely informal and poorly regulated, contributing to:

·         Forest degradation

·         Illegal logging

·         Loss of indigenous tree species

Enforcement of charcoal regulations remains inconsistent across counties.

3. Fragmented Institutional Coordination

Land use decisions are spread across:

·         Agriculture departments

·         Energy departments

·         Environment agencies

·         County planning units

This results in policy fragmentation and weak implementation.

4. Weak Enforcement of Environmental Safeguards

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are inconsistently applied in:

·         Energy crop expansion projects

·         Bioenergy infrastructure development

·         Agro-industrial investments

5. Limited Climate Integration in Land Use Decisions

Many energy crop investments are not fully aligned with:

·         County Climate Change Action Plans

·         National adaptation strategies

·         Climate finance frameworks

 

Opportunities for Sustainable Land Use and Bioenergy Systems

1. Climate-Resilient Energy Crops

Kenya has strong potential to integrate:

·         Cassava (drought-tolerant, ASAL suitable)

·         Sweet sorghum (high ethanol yield, low input)

·         Castor and croton (non-food biodiesel crops)

·         Sorghum (dual food-energy use system)

2. Degraded and Marginal Land Utilization

Large areas of ASAL counties can be rehabilitated through:

·         Energy crop cultivation

·         Agroforestry systems

·         Soil restoration practices

3. Waste-to-Land Restoration Systems

Organic waste and agricultural residues can support:

·         Biomass briquettes

·         Biogas production

·         Soil organic matter restoration

4. Integrated Agro-Bioenergy Systems

Opportunities exist to combine:

·         Food production

·         Energy crop farming

·         Livestock systems

·         Forestry restoration

5. Carbon Markets and Climate Finance

Land-based bioenergy systems can access:

·         Carbon credit markets

·         Green Climate Fund financing

·         National climate finance mechanisms

 

Policy Recommendations

1. Develop Integrated Land Use Planning for Energy Crops

Counties should establish clear zoning frameworks that define:

·         Energy crop production zones

·         Food production zones

·         Conservation areas

·         Industrial bioenergy zones

2. Strengthen Sustainable Biomass Governance

Implement:

·         Sustainable charcoal certification systems

·         Regulated harvesting of biomass resources

·         Community-based forest management systems

3. Promote Climate-Resilient Energy Crops

Prioritize expansion of:

·         Cassava and sweet sorghum in ASAL regions

·         Non-food biodiesel crops in marginal lands

·         Agroforestry-based biomass systems

4. Strengthen Environmental Regulation and Enforcement

Enhance capacity of:

·         NEMA for environmental compliance

·         County governments for local enforcement

·         EPRA for bioenergy value chain regulation

5. Integrate Energy Crops into Climate Policy

Align energy crop development with:

·         County Climate Change Action Plans

·         National adaptation frameworks

·         Climate finance eligibility systems

6. Improve Institutional Coordination

Establish:

·         County bioenergy and land use coordination units

·         Inter-ministerial coordination platforms

·         Integrated planning systems across agriculture, energy, and environment sectors

 

Conclusion

Sustainable land use and environmental management are foundational to Kenya’s bioenergy and clean cooking transition. While energy crops present significant opportunities for renewable energy, rural development, and import substitution, their success depends on careful management of land, water, and ecological systems.

Without strong land use planning, environmental safeguards, and institutional coordination, bioenergy expansion risks exacerbating deforestation, soil degradation, and land conflicts, particularly in fragile ASAL and high-pressure agricultural zones.

However, with integrated planning and climate-resilient approaches, Kenya can transform energy crop systems into a powerful driver of environmental restoration, rural livelihoods and sustainable energy security.