Members of Parliament are urging the government to replace firewood with clean energy solutions such as biogas and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) in prisons to safeguard inmates’ health and reduce environmental damage.
The Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) highlighted that many correctional facilities still rely heavily on firewood, exposing prisoners to respiratory illnesses and contributing to deforestation.
During a recent inspection tour in Kilifi County, where firewood remains the primary cooking fuel, CIOC chair Caroli Omondi stressed the urgency of transitioning to clean energy alternatives, including natural gas and charcoal briquettes.
“The continued reliance on firewood contributes to deforestation, environmental degradation and poses health risks to both inmates and staff. This move is critical in supporting the government’s broader efforts to reduce environmental pollution and mitigate the effects of climate change,” Omondi said.
The committee recommended that inmates be trained in producing charcoal briquettes from agricultural waste, giving them practical skills while reducing dependence on traditional fuels.
Staff members would also benefit from programs aimed at building their capacity to operate and maintain clean energy systems.
In addition, MPs urged the government to fast-track the rollout of digital infrastructure in prisons to allow remote court hearings. The move is expected to ease overcrowding and speed up judicial processes for remandees and convicted inmates.
During the visit, the committee commended ongoing rehabilitation programs, including vocational training, counseling, water harvesting, and environmental management, supported by Mabati Rolling Mills, Mombasa Cement, and the Red Cross.
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum recently launched a renewed initiative to expand affordable LPG access nationwide, seven years after a similar programme stalled. Through the State Department for Petroleum, the ministry invited reputable firms to submit Expressions of Interest for the funding, procurement, and distribution of 6kg LPG cylinders with seed gas and accessories.
The programme targets rural and peri-urban households where firewood and kerosene remain dominant. It forms part of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritizes affordable, clean cooking energy as a key component of social welfare and environmental sustainability.
Under the proposed tripartite funding model, the government will cover 40 percent of cylinder costs, seed gas, and accessories; private LPG companies will contribute another 40 percent, while consumers will pay 20 percent as a deposit.
“The LPG cylinders will be manufactured locally and fitted with track-and-trace technology under the supervision of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA),” the ministry notice states. Selected firms will act as brand owners, responsible for refilling and maintaining the cylinders in line with the Petroleum (LPG) Regulations, 2025, and for supplying burners and grills to households.
The programme is expected to boost local manufacturing, create jobs, and expand LPG usage across the country. Firms interested in participating have until Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 11:00 am to submit proposals at the Ministry’s offices in KASNEB Towers II, Nairobi.
