Development Programmes

1. Data-Driven Planning and Evidence Generation

Ke Devries supports counties and local stakeholders to generate and use high-quality data to guide clean cooking interventions. This includes baseline assessments at household, institutional, market, and policy levels, with data disaggregated by gender, age, disability, and socio-economic status to ensure inclusive decision-making.

2. Capacity Building and Skills Development

The programme strengthens the technical and institutional capacity of:

• •County government officials on clean cooking technologies, financing mechanisms, and policy implementation
• •Local artisans and community-based organisations on stove design, installation, maintenance, and repair
• •Women, youth, and PWDs on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and access to clean cooking value-chain opportunities

3. Strengthening Clean Cooking Value Chains

Ke Devries works with local suppliers, technicians, cooperatives, and micro-enterprises to improve last-mile delivery, after-sales services, and market linkages for clean cooking technologies and fuels. The programme promotes inclusive business models that create jobs and income opportunities at the community level.

4. Policy and Institutional Support

The programme supports counties to develop and operationalise Clean Cooking Transition Policies and implementation guidelines, aligned with national frameworks such as the Kenya National Cooking Transition Strategy. Emphasis is placed on embedding Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles in planning, budgeting, and implementation.

5. Community Awareness and Behaviour Change

Through community engagement forums, partnerships with local leaders, and targeted awareness campaigns, the programme increases knowledge on the health, economic, and environmental benefits of clean cooking, enabling households and businesses to make informed energy choices.

We promote practical, locally adapted agroecological approaches that improve soil health and ecosystem function, including:

• •Soil regeneration through organic matter management, composting, mulching, and cover crops
• •Diversified farming systems such as intercropping, crop rotation, agroforestry, and integrated crop-livestock systems
• •Water conservation and landscape-level natural resource management
• •Reduction of synthetic inputs through ecological pest and nutrient management

These practices improve productivity while restoring land and reducing production risks.

Ke Devries supports farmers to adopt CSA practices that enhance resilience to climate shocks while reducing environmental footprints. This includes:

• •Climate-resilient crop varieties and diversified production systems
• •Efficient water use technologies and rainwater harvesting
• •Climate-informed planning and risk management
• •Low-emission and resource-efficient production techniques

CSA options are tailored to local agro-ecological zones and market opportunities.

At the heart of the programme is a mentorship-based approach that links experienced agripreneurs and technical experts with youth-led farming and agribusiness ventures. Mentors provide:

• •Practical technical guidance through demonstration farms and peer learning
• •Business coaching, planning, and record-keeping support
• •Ongoing accompaniment to strengthen confidence, agency, and leadership

This peer-to-peer model accelerates skills transfer, reduces start-up risks, and builds strong agricultural ecosystems.

Regenerative agriculture is positioned as a viable business pathway. Ke Devries supports youth and women to develop sustainable enterprises through:

• •Agribusiness incubation and business development services
• •Support in value addition, aggregation, and post-harvest handling
• •Market research, pricing, and buyer linkages
• •Access to finance, savings groups, and blended finance opportunities

Enterprises span production, input supply, processing, and service provision within regenerative value chains.

The programme applies a Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) lens throughout design and implementation. This includes:

• •Targeted outreach and support for young women, persons with disabilities, and marginalised youth
• •Inclusive training methods, accessible venues, and flexible participation models
• •Challenging harmful social norms that limit youth and women's participation in agriculture
• •Strengthening agency, decision-making power, and leadership at household and community levels