1. UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI WANGARI MAATHAI INSTITUTE FOR PEACE & ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
WMI605 EXPERIENTIAL FIELD TRAINING
DOMESTIC ENERGY, CASE OF MAGINA
PRESENTED BY LILIAN SARAH NAMUMA KONG’ANI
REG. NO. A60/74990/2014

2. Problem statement
About 2 billion people in the world rely on non-modern fuels to fulfil their cooking needs (UNDP, UNDESA, WEC, 2000).
UNDP & WHO report on energy access situation indicates 69% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa rely on wood as their primary cooking fuel.
In Kenya, about 90% of Kenyan rural households rely on wood fuel for cooking. (MoE, 2002)
Fuelwood crisis has been predicted, women and children have been reported to be most affected in fetching and using firewood.
Kenya & others have been in the forefront of cookstove development, marketing and distribution in the region for over thirty years now.(Winrock International, 2011),
However, the adoption of improved cookstoves is still minimal at 5%, Muchiri, (2008).

3. Objectives
General:
Investigate types of fuels and cookstoves in Magina area, assess levels of adoption of improved cookstoves promoted and distributed by development programmes and factors affecting their adoption.
Specific :
To understand types of fuels and stoves used in Magina.
To assess levels of adoption of improved stoves in Magina.
To determine factors affecting adoption of improved stoves.

4. Study methods
Questionnaires -30 purposefully sampled households, 4 sub-villages
-2 development programmes (KENVO & CO2 Bal.)
2 FGDs – 2 with 6 & 4 participants each, aged between 16-52year olds & > 53years respectively
Participant observations- (firewood collection- one woman, 40kgs bundle, approx. 6kms to and from; time average of 3 hrs 30mins)
Photography

5. Key results and explanations
Other types of fuel:
LPG gas, sawdust, maize cobs & electricity
Cited preference for firewood:
Readily available & cheap unlike gas and others
Cooks faster
Heats space better.
Social benefits

6. Types of stoves’
Main stoves; 52% traditional three stones, 29% improved firewood stoves, 7% traditional charcoal stove, 6% ceramic charcoal stove, 3% biogas stove and 3% kerosene stove.

7. Levels of improved cookstoves adoption
Both KENVO and CO2 Bal. distributed ICS in 2009 to 2010 & in respectively.
93% received improved cookstoves
50% use these stoves (as alternatives)
Only 14.3% of the 50% use it as the main stove.
ICS, stoves promoted and installed through development program, saves on carbon, halves the amount of smoke thus providing potentially lifesaving impact in the household.

8. Factors affecting adoption
Efficiency and suitability of the stove; design not friendly to households needs and also not durable; 1/3 reported breakages.
Social-cultural.
Lack of clear understanding of ICS concept.
Magina community lives close to both Kinale & Kereita forests- (adoption higher in communities further from forests, eg in Chuka where CO2 has also worked).
Non-stringent firewood collection permit policy.

9. Conclusions and recommendations
Adoption of improved cookstoves is very low (14.3%) in Magina and is aggravated by factors like efficiency & suitability, socio-cultural aspects thus the intended purpose of ICS continues to be unfelt.
Educate community more about ICS concept,
upscale research to harmonize and incorporate community needs in designing of stoves.
Review firewood collection permit policy.
Empower community on diversified livelihood options to enable access other fuels like briquette hence reduce pressure on wood fuel.

10. Acknowledgements The WMI and UoC
Dr. T. Thenya and Prof. R.G. Wahome, the coordinators, and together with Prof. Mungai & Dr. Cecilia for their invaluable inputs in preparations.
Domestic Energy supervisors; Prof. S.G. Kiama and Dr. Mary Njenga
The Northern Supervisors, Prof. Eben & Dr. Martin
My teammates Anne from the South, Ida, Sofie, Mirja & Helle from the North.
Host family, Mr. & Mrs. Mbugua, village guide; Samuel & Leah the youth leader Leah

11. End Rahab and Sophie carrying 40kgs and 18ksg bundles respectively.
It took an average of 3hrs 30mins; 6kms to and from firewood collection—
Adoption of improved cookstoves would save women from this tideous task.