NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) β Before sunset, a blue flame used to spring to life in Brenda Obareβs kitchen with a quick turn of the knob as she started dinner. Now, her stove is often cold as she crouches over a charcoal burner, coaxing a smoky fire to cook for her family of five.
Obare is among millions across Africa and South Asia who have abandoned cleaner cooking gas due to soaring prices. The shift has ripple effects on household budgets, health, and deforestation. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the price of a 13-kilogram cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) rose by 18% in 2025, pushing many families to switch to charcoal or firewood.
In Nairobi, charcoal prices have also increased, but remain cheaper than gas for many low-income households. The World Health Organization warns that smoke from solid fuels causes 3.2 million premature deaths annually, mostly women and children. In South Asia, similar trends are reported in India and Bangladesh, where LPG subsidies have been reduced.
Environmental groups note that increased charcoal use accelerates deforestation in Kenya, where forests cover only 7% of land. The Kenya Forest Service reported a 12% rise in illegal logging in 2025, linked to charcoal demand. Governments face pressure to balance energy affordability with conservation goals.
