Kenya: Mother creates safer cookers after daughter’s burn accident

Charlot Magayi, a mother from Nairobi, Kenya, founded Mukuru Clean Stoves after her daughter suffered severe burns from a traditional cooking stove. This personal tragedy motivated her to create a safer, more efficient cooking solution that addresses both safety and environmental concerns. The stoves utilize briquettes made from recycled agricultural materials, significantly reducing harmful emissions and improving cooking conditions for families. Since its inception in 2016, the social enterprise has expanded rapidly, now reaching over 530,000 homes and benefiting approximately 2.5 million people. Magayi's initiative not only tackles the issue of accidental burns but also addresses the broader problem of household air pollution, which claims nearly 4 million lives globally each year. In Kenya alone, 20,000 to 24,000 deaths occur annually due to this issue, highlighting the urgent need for safer cooking alternatives. The stoves are particularly beneficial for women and girls, who are typically the primary cooks in households. By improving cooking conditions, the initiative empowers these individuals and enhances their quality of life. The company has gained recognition, including winning the EarthShot Prize in 2022, which has facilitated its growth from three to seven counties in Kenya, with plans to expand to ten by the end of the year. Magayi's work exemplifies how personal experiences can drive social change, addressing critical issues of safety, health, and environmental sustainability. The success of Mukuru Clean Stoves demonstrates the potential for innovative solutions to improve the lives of marginalized communities while contributing to the fight against climate change.