Benson Ireri
Head, Clean Cooking Delivery Unit, Kenya
Benson Ireri heads Kenya’s Clean Cooking Delivery Unit, nested within the Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change under the Executive Office of the President. Benson leads the operationalization of Kenya’s national ambition to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2028. In this role, he supports high-level coordination across government ministries and agencies, strengthens policy and institutional frameworks, and mobilizes resources to accelerate clean cooking adoption across households and institutions. He also plays a pivotal role in linking clean cooking efforts to broader national goals, including green industrialization and carbon market development.
Benson has over 15 years of experience in clean energy, climate policy, and sustainable development across sub-Saharan Africa. Before joining CCA, he served as Africa Lead for Energy Access at the World Resources Institute, where he oversaw strategic programs on integrated energy planning, healthcare electrification, and clean cooking transitions. He has advised national and county governments on energy policy and financing mechanisms and is widely recognized for his thought leadership on decentralized energy systems and just energy transitions.
A passionate advocate for inclusive energy solutions, Benson has shaped energy access strategies and clean cooking initiatives through multi-stakeholder partnerships and high-level advisory roles. He holds an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management and is pursuing an MSc in Energy Economics and Finance from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
Benson has over 15 years of experience in clean energy, climate policy, and sustainable development across sub-Saharan Africa. Before joining CCA, he served as Africa Lead for Energy Access at the World Resources Institute, where he oversaw strategic programs on integrated energy planning, healthcare electrification, and clean cooking transitions. He has advised national and county governments on energy policy and financing mechanisms and is widely recognized for his thought leadership on decentralized energy systems and just energy transitions.
A passionate advocate for inclusive energy solutions, Benson has shaped energy access strategies and clean cooking initiatives through multi-stakeholder partnerships and high-level advisory roles. He holds an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management and is pursuing an MSc in Energy Economics and Finance from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.