Factors Influencing Use and Adoption of Clean Cooking Technologies in Rural Households: a Case Study of Bondo Sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

Use of inefficient biomass pyrolysis stoves is a major driver of the degradation of biomass energy resources. As a mitigation measure, use of improved cookstoves has been promoted. However, only 14.5% of households in Siaya County and Bondo Sub-County use improved cookstoves. The objective of this study was to analyze the factors influencing use and adoption of, clean cooking technologies in rural households in Bondo Sub-County. The specific objectives were to, establish the types of cooking energy and technologies used by households. Determine the influence of household characteristics and social-interactions on the use and adoption of, the technologies and determine how, the policy and institutional set-up influences the use and adoption of, the technologies by households in Bondo Sub-County. The study theoretical framework and design, was based on the Technology Acceptance Model, using mixed methods approach. Quantitative data was obtained through household survey questionnaires. Qualitative data was obtained from literature review. The main type of cooking energy used by households in the study area was firewood (62%). The households predominantly used the traditional three stones cookstoves for cooking (62%). The results of a binomial logistic regression analysis showed that: age, income and the household’s awareness of a business entity engaged in the sale and repair of improved cookstoves, significantly influenced use of improved cookstoves in the study area. Policies on biomass energy and cooking technologies are domiciled in different Government ministries. This has given rise to incoherent coordination of their implementation. There is however no policy in place at, Siaya County level that address biomass energy and clean cooking technologies. Even though, private enterprises and Non-Governmental Organizations are engaging in the promotion of clean cooking technologies, institutional involvement in promotion of clean cooking technologies is weak. This study recommends creation of more awareness on, the benefits of using clean cooking energy and technologies. That private businesses be incentivized to, engage in production, dissemination and maintenance of clean cooking technologies. That a Siaya County level policy on, biomass energy and household cooking technologies be formulated to, facilitate implementation of national policies and guarantee, funding for promotion of clean cooking technologies. In conclusion, only 26 percent of the households were using improved cookstoves. This is attributable to, the low level of awareness of the benefits of clean cooking technologies, low incomes and weak involvement of institutions in promoting clean cooking technologies in Bondo Sub-County.