NAKURU, Kenya – Royal Philips has introduced a range of innovative products developed specifically for semi-urban and rural communities. The innovations, which include solar-powered home lighting systems and a unique fan-driven cook stove (Jiko), were unveiled at the Nakuru stopover of Philips’ pan-Kenyan “Maisha ni Mwelekeo” roadshow, which is traveling across the country to reach out to communities and self-help groups. It is engaging and educating them on clean cooking and the benefits of solar powered lighting solutions, including creation of a safer and healthier home environment. 
According to the World Energy Outlook 2012, a staggering 2.6 billion people still depend on traditional stoves or open fires for cooking and heating their homes. The health and environmental risks of this are considerable. Every week, 75,000 people – mostly women and children – get sick or even die as a direct result of inhaling smoke. There are cleaner and more efficient cooking solutions available, but communities in rural areas do not know the benefits of clean cooking alternates or cannot access or afford to invest in them.
For the last three years, Philips has invested in the design and manufacturing of an innovative fan-driven cook stove (Jiko) that can improve the lives of those who rely on wood or biomass for their daily cooking. These specially designed cook stoves are now being commercially introduced in Kenya. The Philips cook stove can reduce smoke and carbon monoxide emissions by more than 90% compared to an open fire, thus reducing the health risks of indoor cooking. The cook stove utilizes pellets, wood or other biomass for cooking in a healthy, environmental friendly and fuel efficient manner.
Philips is testing different financing and go-to-market models in Kenya to ensure that this solution become accessible to people that would otherwise not be able to afford them. “At Philips, we are cognisant of the fact that clean cooking has a direct positive impact on the environment as well as the health and well-being and income of people. It is our ambition is to create meaningful innovations that matter to people and our new Philips cook stove (Jiko) will positively contribute to reducing the amount of people dependent on open fires or inefficient cook stoves for cooking,” says Mary Kuria, General Manager, Philips Lighting East Africa.
As an on-going commitment to encourage clean cooking technologies, Philips has recently announced a collaboration with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation to jointly work on research, community education and access to financing for adopting clean cooking technologies. In addition, Philips has also pledged their commitment to the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves (GACC); whose annual assembly is taking place in New York later this week (20-21 Nov 2014).
The company is also introducing three models of solar lighting solutions for home use. A key benefit of these lighting solutions is the safer and healthier environment created compared to the constant fire risk caused by the use of candles or kerosene lanterns.
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