Chebet Lesan is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bright Green Renewable Energy, a social enterprise that makes eco-friendly charcoal from recycled waste.
Charcoal production contributes to deforestation and environmental destruction, while the cost of charcoal remains high in Kenya. Chebet identified these challenges and created an alternative for Kenyan households.
Bright Green produces 1.5 to 2 tonnes of eco-friendly briquettes a day, or about 10 tonnes a week. The briquettes are smokeless, burn for three hours, and are sold at KSh 50 per kilo, compared to charcoal which burns for about an hour and costs more than double.
Chebet’s contribution to environmental conservation has been recognised internationally. In 2017, she received the Queen’s Young Leaders Award for transforming lives in communities.