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Improved Stove Programmes in Kenya by Dominic Walubengo
[top] [end]Kenya
In Kenya, as in many other countries, the oil crisis of the 1970's brought about important changes in energy planning and use. One of those changes was the establishment of the Ministry of Energy and Regional Development in 1979. The other was that 'renewable energies' were brought into the limelight. The renewable energies were given more attention when the United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy was held in Nairobi (Kenya's capital city) in 1981. Kenya has a population of approximately 20 million and Nairobi is variously estimated at 12 million. The renewable energies most talked about in Kenya are: solar, hydro, wind, geothermal (not strictly renewable) and wood. Some, like hydro and geothermal have been used to generate electricity successfully. However, it is clear from data available at the Energy ministry, that the traditional fuels, wood, charcoal and agricultural residues dominate the energy scene. Woodfuel users in Kenya can be divided into two categories:
In 1986, the Ministry of Energy and Regional Development estimated that the annual demand for woodfuel was 18.7 million tonnes; this demand was growing at the rate of 3.6% each year. Of the total energy consumed, 70% was in the form of woodfuel and 80% of the population was dependent on it. Meanwhile, woodstocks were being depleted at 40% greater than replenishment. The depletion of forests and woodlands has led to ecological degradation and increased inaccessibility to fuelwood, which has been traditionally free. The forests are also under pressure as a result of the rapid population growth: agricultural land is in great demand. In Kenya therefore, it is clear that woodfuels need to be utilized as efficiently as possible. [top] [end]lmproved StovesSince 1982, there has been a major campaign by the Government of Kenya, several donor agencies, non-governmental organisations(NGOs) and individuals, to introduce energy efficient stoves. The effort has been directed at three types of stoves:
[top] [end]The Improved Charcoal StoveThis stove, known as the Kenya Ceramic Jiko (KCJ), has been by far the most successful. The original design was based on the Thai bucket stove and the Kenyan Traditional Metal Stove (TMS).
A survey carried out in 1986* shows that the KCJ has taken off very well and that it is being produced by small businesses and artisans. It appears therefore, that the time has come to leave this stove to market forces. Any more involvement by NGOs and donors is likely to lead to duplication.
[top] [end]The Improved Woodstove(s)Activity in this area has been much slower, compared to the charcoal stove. There are several reasons for this. One is that fuelwood in the rural areas (target for the stoves) is still largely collected freely. The other is that there are too many different designs of the woodstove: all vying for first place. There are at least four different designs being disseminated: the Kuni Mbili, the Maendeleo one-pot, the Maendeleo two-pot and the Bellerive.
By the end of 1986, a total of 10,000 woodstoves had been introduced into the rural areas. This is a very small number when the rural population of Kenya is looked at as a whole. Clearly, donors and NGOs should now concentrate their efforts on the rural areas. [top] [end]The Improved Community WoodstoveThe majority of Kenyan schools, hospitals and other large communities depend on wood for their cooking and heating. These institutions usually burn their wood in large open fires, which are very inefficient. Efforts have therefore been made to disseminate improved community stoves.There are two main designs of the improved community stove on the market: the Bellerive and the Alfa- Laval. By mid 1986, it was estimated that at least 10% of the total of 5,000 institutions owned an improved community stove. Community stoves may cost anything between Ksh 10,000 and 20,000. Their dissemination has therefore been slow. Again, this is an area where donors and NGOs could play an important role.
[top] [end]Agencies Working on Improved StovesStove programmes in Kenya have attracted many donors, NGOs and even individuals. All these agencies have worked under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and Regional Development. The role of the different agencies has been as follows:[top] [end]The GovernmentThe Government, through the Ministry of Energy and Regional Development (MOERD) has been co-ordinating all the improved stoves work. The MOERD has established six energy centres in different parts of the country; here artisans have been taught the art of making improved stoves. The Ministry organises training workshops and carries out a public education programme using posters, booklets, the radio and television.In 1987, the Government built a stove testing centre in Nairobi. [top] [end]DonorsThe most active donors as far as stove programmes are concerned have been: the German aid agency (GTZ), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).GTZ has concentrated on the development of the woodstoves. They have worked closely with the large women's NGO, Maendeleo ya Wanawake. Using funding and technical expertise from GTZ, Maendeleo has introduced two types of woodstoves in the rural areas: the Maendeleo one-pot and the Maendeleo two-pot. GTZ have also constructed a stove testing laboratory at one of the energy centres belonging to MOERD. GTZ are particularly strong in the training of field workers, stove testing and publication of results. IDRC was instrumental in providing the initial funds for the early work on the KCJ. This agency has concentrated on research and in 1985, it funded the Kenya Energy and Environment Organisation (KENGO) to carry out laboratory tests on the community stoves. IDRC has also funded training courses both in Kenya and abroad for stove programmes workers. USAID funded the successful Kenya Renewable Energy Development Project (KREDP) which was housed by MOERD (1982-86). It was through KREDP that MOERD established the energy centres. USAID has also funded the Regional Stoves Programme which is run by KENGO (1986-88). This programme aims to help countries in the East and Central African region to improve the running of their stove programmes. Funds from USAID have been used to train artisans, project workers and field workers. USAID has been instrumental in helping to get many booklets, posters and even calendars on improved stoves published. [top] [end]Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs)The NGOs that have been at the forefront of stove work in Kenya are: the Bellerive Foundation of Switzerland, the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) of the UK, KENGO and Macodeleo ya Wanawake.The Bellerive Foundation has concentrated on woodstoves. Their projects manufacture and disseminate both domestic and community stoves. Their community stoves have been particularly successful. By the end of 1987, they had sold at least 800 of them. The Foundation is particularly good at training stove artisans. ITDG has been useful in providing socioeconomic analyses for stove programmes and training of project workers. This organisation has provided the bulk of the data on stove performance in the laboratory. ITDG stove publications are well known in Kenya. KENGO has, since 1982, been the single local NGO with the biggest concentration of stove project workers. As a result, KENGO has carried out many training workshops for artisans, technical teachers and government officials. This organisation played a key role in the introduction of the KCJ. It was KENGO which field tested the first batch of KCJs in 1982. KENGO has carried out many field tests and surveys since then. KENGO's stove programme has featured the KCJ, the Kuni Mbili and the community stove. In 1986, a Regional Stove Programme was started at KENGO. This programme has succeeded in helping to improve the capacity of the NGOs in the East and Central African region to handle stove programmes. This has been done through the training of artisans and programme administrators. Maendeleo ya Wanawake, the women's NGO, has been active primarily in the rural areas. Maendeleo has trained women to build their own stoves and to carry out the necessary repairs. They have trained rural women on how to use the improved stoves efficiently. [top] [end]Other Organisations/lndividualsThe stove programmes in Kenya have been enhanced by contributions from the following organisations and individuals:
[top] [end]The Way ForwardWhile the Kenya stove programme has been hailed as a success, there are a number of points that should be noted for future developments.
The agencies working in energy should agree on a common objective. This would cut out unnecessary duplication. Lastly, donors should consider providing long term funding for NGOs and other agencies working in the energy field. 'Spot' funding should be limited. It is quite common for NGOs to obtain funding for the development and field testing of a stove but no funding for dissemination and public education. [top] [end]"Why We Use 3 Stones for Cooking"[top] [end]A Story from the Kenya Nationby Ayub Osinde Atamba, 13 years, BunyoreLong ago there lived a chief who had a very beautiful daughter. He ruled that any man with the intention of marrying his daughter had to show his prowess by bringing gifts to her. She was to get married to whoever brought a gift that pleased her. Herdsmen and princes tried their luck but none of their gifts pleased her. Three brothers decided to have the attractive daughter between them. They all went in different directions. One day they all met at one place. One of them had found a powerful telescope that could be used to observe thousands of miles away. Another had found a herb that when taken, could make one run faster than any creature. The third came across a cane that could bring the dead back to life. They decided to use the telescope and observe what the daughter was doing. They were shocked to find that she had died of a heart attack. Quickly they took the mysterious herb and in no time they reached their would-be wife's body. They found her surrounded by sorrowful villagers. The third brother took his wonderful cane and struck the dead body. She came back to life. That is why we cook using three stones. [top] [end]Contents: Boiling Point 15: Stove Progress in Kenya and Sri Lanka
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28 August 2008; Last edited:
29 August 2008; Version: 0 | |||||||||||||||||
Pagename: BP15:ImprovedStoveProgrammesInKenya @HEDON: KFNA | |||||||||||||||||
