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
Kisumu County has strong potential to become a major bioenergy and agro processing hub within Kenya’s clean energy transition. The county’s agricultural base, strategic location within western Kenya and growing urban population create opportunities for expanding energy crop production, clean cooking systems and industrial bioenergy value chains.
The policy review identified Kisumu as one of the counties with favorable conditions for cassava and sorghum production, both of which have significant potential for bioethanol development. The county also presents opportunities for waste to energy systems, decentralized clean cooking solutions and agro industrial investment.
At the same time, many households continue to rely on charcoal and firewood for cooking, contributing to indoor air pollution, environmental degradation and rising pressure on biomass resources.
The review found that despite supportive national frameworks, county implementation remains constrained by weak supply chains, inadequate infrastructure, limited financing and low commercialization of energy crops.
Strengthening Kisumu’s bioenergy systems can support rural livelihoods, industrial growth, clean cooking access and climate resilience while positioning the county as a regional clean energy and agro processing centre.
County Context
Kisumu County is an important economic and agricultural centre within western Kenya. The county benefits from:
· relatively fertile agricultural land
· access to regional markets
· growing urbanization
· industrial development potential
Agriculture remains central to local livelihoods, with many households engaged in:
· cassava farming
· sorghum production
· sugarcane cultivation
· mixed crop farming
The county also faces growing demand for:
· affordable cooking fuel
· industrial energy
· sustainable household energy systems
Traditional biomass remains widely used across households, particularly in low income and peri urban areas.
Energy and Bioenergy Situation in Kisumu
Continued Dependence on Biomass
A large share of households still depends on:
· charcoal
· firewood
· traditional cooking systems
This dependence contributes to:
· forest degradation
· indoor air pollution
· health risks
· unsustainable biomass harvesting
Women and children remain disproportionately affected by household air pollution exposure.
Strong Agricultural Potential
Kisumu has strong agricultural potential for bioenergy feedstock including:
· cassava
· sorghum
· sugarcane
Cassava and sorghum are particularly important because they:
· tolerate variable climatic conditions
· support smallholder farming systems
· can be integrated into commercial value chains
· offer bioethanol production potential
Industrial and Agro Processing Opportunity
The county’s strategic location and growing industrial base create opportunities for:
· agro processing investment
· bioethanol production
· biomass energy systems
· clean cooking fuel distribution
Kisumu can serve both local and regional clean energy markets.
Existing Policy and Institutional Frameworks
Several national frameworks support bioenergy and clean cooking expansion within Kisumu County.
Kenya Bioenergy Strategy 2020–2027
The strategy supports:
· sustainable biomass systems
· renewable energy development
· biofuel commercialization
· clean cooking transition
It also emphasizes development of local bioenergy value chains.
National Energy Policy 2025–2034
The policy promotes:
· renewable energy investment
· decentralized energy systems
· energy security
· universal access to modern cooking energy
Kenya National Cooking Transition Strategy 2024–2028
The strategy aims to reduce dependence on charcoal and firewood by expanding:
· LPG
· bioethanol
· electricity
· biogas and sustainable biomass
County Energy Planning
Under the Energy Act 2019, county governments are responsible for:
· local energy planning
· renewable energy coordination
· County Energy Plan implementation
· promotion of clean energy systems
Kisumu County therefore plays an important role in advancing local clean energy transition.
Key Challenges Identified
The review identified several barriers affecting energy crop development and clean cooking expansion in Kisumu County.
1. Weak Commercial Supply Chains
Many farmers continue to operate within fragmented and informal market systems.
Challenges include:
· weak aggregation systems
· inconsistent supply volumes
· poor market coordination
· limited storage infrastructure
This affects both processors and investors.
2. Limited Agro Processing Infrastructure
Although agricultural production is significant, processing capacity remains limited in many areas.
Key infrastructure gaps include:
· storage facilities
· processing centres
· aggregation hubs
· transport systems
Without stronger infrastructure, value addition remains constrained.
3. Dependence on Traditional Cooking Fuels
Many households continue using charcoal and firewood because:
· clean alternatives remain expensive
· awareness is limited
· fuel distribution systems are weak
This slows clean cooking transition.
4. Financing Constraints
Farmers and SMEs continue to face challenges accessing:
· affordable financing
· clean energy investment capital
· business development support
· agricultural credit
This limits commercialization and expansion.
5. Weak Technical and Institutional Capacity
County level implementation continues to face challenges including:
· limited technical staffing
· inadequate energy data systems
· weak coordination structures
· limited extension services
These gaps affect long term planning and implementation.
Opportunities for Kisumu County
Despite these challenges, Kisumu has strong opportunities for bioenergy development and clean cooking expansion.
Expansion of Cassava and Sorghum Value Chains
Cassava and sorghum can support:
· bioethanol production
· agro industrial development
· farmer income growth
· climate resilient agriculture
Strengthening commercialization systems can significantly improve market opportunities.
Agro Processing and Industrial Development
The county can strengthen:
· ethanol processing
· agro industrial manufacturing
· biomass energy systems
· regional distribution networks
This can support both local economic growth and clean energy transition.
Clean Cooking Market Growth
Kisumu’s urban population presents opportunities for:
· bioethanol fuel systems
· improved cookstoves
· local distribution businesses
· women led clean energy enterprises
Growing urban demand can support expansion of clean cooking markets.
Waste to Energy Potential
The county also presents opportunities for:
· organic waste utilization
· biomass briquettes
· circular economy systems
· sustainable waste management
These systems can complement broader bioenergy development.
Policy Recommendations
1. Strengthen Farmer Aggregation Systems
The county should support:
· farmer cooperatives
· aggregation centres
· contract farming arrangements
· market linkage systems
Reliable supply chains are critical for commercialization.
2. Invest in Agro Processing Infrastructure
Priority investments should include:
· processing facilities
· storage infrastructure
· rural transport systems
· decentralized energy hubs
Infrastructure development will strengthen value addition and market access.
3. Expand Clean Cooking Access
Kisumu County should strengthen:
· stove distribution systems
· clean cooking awareness campaigns
· institutional cooking programs
· affordable fuel access systems
This will reduce dependence on traditional biomass.
4. Improve Access to Financing
Government and development partners should support:
· SME financing
· blended finance programs
· youth enterprise support
· women led clean energy businesses
Access to capital remains essential for sector growth.
5. Strengthen Technical Capacity
The county should invest in:
· energy planning capacity
· extension services
· renewable energy coordination
· local data systems
Stronger institutions will improve implementation and monitoring.
6. Promote Public Private Partnerships
Partnerships involving:
· county government
· private investors
· research institutions
· development partners
can accelerate commercialization and infrastructure development.
Conclusion
Kisumu County has strong potential to support Kenya’s transition toward modern bioenergy and clean cooking systems. Its agricultural resources, industrial potential and growing urban market create favorable conditions for expanding bioethanol value chains and clean energy access.
However, achieving this potential will require stronger investment in supply chains, infrastructure, commercialization systems and county level implementation capacity.
With coordinated action, Kisumu can become a regional leader in agro processing, sustainable energy systems and clean cooking innovation while supporting climate resilience, rural livelihoods and inclusive economic growth.