| Main knowledge bank page |
Recent additions |
Recent changes |
What links here |
Categories |
Category cloud How-to guides | Organisation profiles | Project profiles | |
The Kenyan Ceramic JikoThe Kenya Ceramic Jiko, which consists of a metal casing and ceramic lining is an improved charcoal burning stove developed and designed by aid groups such as UNICEF and CARE-Kenya (Kammen, undated) in 1982 and marketed by the Kenya Energy and Environment Organisation (KENGO), an energy NGO, with support from the Kenya Ministry of Energy (ITDG, 2002).Initial improved cookstoves faced a number of hurddles which hindered rapid dissemination. The problems included brief field testing and a mismatch between the design and the cooking needs of the communities (REF). In particular, the stove’s opening or pot stand did not match the size of typical pots in the target communities. There were also problems with heat loss in the initial designs (Kammen, dated). Although there was inadequate feedback on the design of the stoves [to assist in improving designs], groups of women involved in community health and environment protection issues played a crucial role in the evolution of the initial stove designs and suggested some changes including the hourglass shape of the current Jiko, for stability (REF), which is vital where vigorous stirring of food is required, which is the case in most Eastern and Southern African countries. Furthermore, extensive trainings were carried out to improve user knowledge and enhance acceptability (REF). Marketing efforts included the use of mass media, market demonstration and trade fair exhibitions. Local public institutions such as schools, churches and small businesses also acted as marketing points for the stoves as users (REF). The production of the stove itself is done by local small scale entrepreneurs, with metal claddings being made by male dominated small scale enterprises or individual artisans, most of whom previously traditional stoves (Karekezi, 1993), whilst the insulating clay liner is often made by women groups, whose members are mainly potters (Owalla, 2001). This setting ensures that existing skills in the communities are utilised and generate incomes. The use of local artisan also ensures local availability of the stoves and together with the incomes derived from stove sales act as incentives for the producers to promote the stove. For stove users, benefits include substantial decreases in fuel used per year, estimated at $65 per household per year, whilst the stove itself costs between US$2 and US$5. These savings have acted as an incentive for the households to adopt the stoves (Kammen, undated). It is currently estimated that 56% of urban households in Kenya use the KCJ, representing a national household penetration rate of 16.8% (REF). Categories: Kenyan Ceramic Jiko| Improved Stoves | |
Page created:
21 February 2007; Last edited:
26 June 2007; Version: 1 | |
Pagename: KCJ @HEDON: MWDA | |
