Kenya and the United Kingdom have unveiled a strengthened climate partnership aimed at cutting Kenya’s greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by the year 2035, with the deal placing strong emphasis on reducing household dependence on fossil fuels.

The renewed cooperation is part of the Kenya-UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK-Pact) initiative, a programme launched in 2021 to support Kenya’s shift toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.

Under this agreement, resources will be directed into three crucial areas of Kenya’s energy sector: integrated energy planning, off-grid solutions in remote areas, and youth-led innovation in clean energy.

Key to the deal is a commitment to align national energy strategies with the needs of communities, especially those that remain disconnected from the national grid. The partnership is also expected to fast-track the use of technology-driven clean energy alternatives and support inclusive climate action across the country.

British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya Ed Barnett said the partnership signals strong leadership in tackling climate threats.

“UK-Pact is central to our international climate finance agenda. It supports countries like Kenya in translating plans into real action, building inclusive, low-carbon futures,” said Barnett.

He pointed to a renewable energy project in Makueni County, backed by the UK-Pact, that now provides a third of the area’s electricity. The project has helped lower power bills by nearly Sh7 million per year and ensured uninterrupted electricity for key services such as health centres.

Beyond energy, UK-Pact support has also extended to forest conservation efforts. In the last four years, the programme has helped restore degraded ecosystems and improve governance in forest management. More than 400 members of community forest associations have been trained in areas such as benefit-sharing, sustainable use, and institutional accountability.

Speaking at the announcement, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira stressed the importance of switching to clean household energy, especially for cooking. “Despite our climate ambitions, only 25 percent of meals in Kenya are currently prepared using clean energy sources,” said Wachira.

He also addressed the electricity access gap across the country, noting that 14 counties, representing nearly three-quarters of Kenya’s land area, remain outside the national grid.

“Our goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2030 is strengthened by the pact’s support for clean energy entrepreneurship and off-grid innovations,” he added.

The timing of the agreement follows the renewal of the broader Kenya-UK strategic partnership by President William Ruto and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The renewed pact, now extended until 2030, reinforces bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and climate response.

The UK-Pact initiative will continue to fund new ideas and solutions in Kenya’s energy sector, with a focus on bringing together government, private sector, and civil society players to create sustainable change.

Both parties underscored the urgency of making energy systems more inclusive and resilient to climate shocks.

As Kenya steps up its climate commitments, this deal marks a renewed effort to put clean energy at the centre of economic growth and environmental protection.