Assessing the uptake of biogas as a source of clean energy for cooking by low income households in Kibera slum, Kenya

Abstract

Kibera households use various energy mixes for their cooking and lighting needs. Their energy mix is characterised by environmentally unstable energy sources that include charcoal, wood fuel and kerosene. Biomass sources for cooking, in the form of biogas, were introduced in the area by a non-governmental organisation, Umande Trust, with the aim of providing a cheaper and environment sustainable energy source to the residents. The project similarly aimed at enhancing the sanitation and hygiene of the study area. This study aimed at assessing the uptake of biogas as a source of clean energy by low income households for cooking in Kibera. The objectives of the study were: i. to establish the socio-economic factors that determine the energy used by the residents of Kibera, ii. to establish the levels of awareness and perception on the use biogas by the residents of Kibera and iii. to find out the Kenyan Government policy on production, distribution and use of biogas in the urban and peri-urban environments of the country. For data collection, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, direct observation and household survey were used. To determine factors influencing adoption of biogas technology, 572 households were sampled and interviewed using the prepared household questionnaires. Six key informant interviews were conducted with representatives of the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environment, The National Environment Management Authority and representative of Umande Trust. Similarly, the study conducted four focus group discussions. From the study, it was revealed that the uptake of biogas in Kibera was very low. Many of the bio-centres were falling to disuse. The study revealed that household income, education level, cultural affiliations, household size, and distance from biogas centre significantly influenced the uptake of biogas. In conclusion, this study observed that biogas was not an energy source of choice for the people of Kibera mainly because of the fact that it came from human excrete. Secondly, the study noted that while the people of Kibera were aware of the source of the biogas, their perception towards the gas was skewed. Additionally, while the government has made attempts to enhance biogas uptake in the country, there is been no emphasis on the use of human excreta to produce biogas in urban and peri-urban set ups. Most of the attention has been on the use of animal waste and agricultural waste. To enhance the uptake of the biogas, there is need for continuous sensitization, awareness creation and education of the masses on the link between the source of the biogas (human excrete) as well and the end product (the gas). Also, since the distance from the bio centre and communal kitchens affected the uptake of the biogas, for future projects, piping of the gas to individual houses would be recommendable i.e the enhancement of the operational and maintenance of the facilities. Similarly, on the policy, the government should incorporate biogas plans in its wider development programmes in the country innovative slum upgrading strategies. Other recommendations include, improved public participation, provision of tax breaks, trainings of artisans and proper marketing strategies of the biogas. Key words: Biogas, Energy, production, households, Kibera