Socio-economic factors influencing adoption of improved biomass energy technologies in rural and

184 Pages·2015·2.93 MB·English

by  Mutea Emily N

SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF IMPROVED
BIOMASS ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES IN RURAL AND URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN
KITUI, KENYA

MUTEA EMILY N. - C50/64884/2013

A project paper submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of
Masters of Arts in Environmental Planning and Management of the University of
Nairobi

October, 2015

i
Declaration
This project paper is my own original work and has not been presented for examination to any
other university.
Emily Ngutah Mutea

Signature: …………………………. Date: ………………………

Approval
This project has been submitted for examination with our approval as university supervisors.

Dr. Boniface Kiteme
CETRAD / University of Nairobi

Signature: …………………………. Date: ………………………

Dr. Mikalitsa S. Mukhovi
University of Nairobi

Signature: …………………………. Date: ………………………

Dr. Boniface Wambua
University of Nairobi

Signature: …………………………. Date: ………………………
i
Dedication
This project is dedicated to the Almighty God, to Him be all the Glory and Honour for by his
Mercy and Grace, I have been able to accomplish this work. To my beloved parents Silas Mutea
and Alice Mutea, who saw the importance of educating their baby girl. To my siblings Franklin
Kathurima and Sylvia Muthoni for your moral support and to my late grandma Rebecca Mwari.

ii
Acknowledgement
The completion of this work has been possible through support and contributions of various
individuals and institutions. It has not been easy to mention everybody here by name, but I
sincerely wish to express my gratitude to them all.
I am particularly indebted to Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) and Centre
for Development and Environment (CDE) through Center for Training and Intergrated
Research in ASALs Development (CETRAD) for the financial support during the course of
my study. My special thanks go to Dr. B. Kiteme (CETRAD), Susanne Wymann (CDE) and
Dr. Albrecht Ehrensperger (CDE) for their constant encouragement and inspiration which
strengthened and motivated my thinking during the course of this study. To my supervisors,
Dr. Mukhovi and Dr. B. Wambua of the University of Nairobi and Dr. Kiteme (CETRAD) for
their professional guidance, encouragement, constructive criticisms and comments that
resulted to the success of this work.
I am grateful to Joshua Musau (Research Assistant), Kitui Central community and my
colleagues in CETRAD for their professional assistance and moral support. Space is not
enough to mention all of them, but the following would represent the others; Dr. Sarah Ogalleh
(CETRAD) and Abigail Okoko (Doctoral candidate) for their interest in reading early versions
of my project and giving valuable suggestions and guidance which helped to improve this work.
Dickson Mukunga (CETRAD) for his great help during data analysis process; he introduced
and guided me on the use of computer software programmes of data analysis.
Last, but not least, I am indebted to my parents and siblings for their prayers which encouraged
me and raised my faith during tough times of my study period. To my special friend Dekontee
Saytarkon for his prayers and moral support which contributed to the psychological calmness
during the course of my study.

MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD ABUNDANTLY BLESS YOU ALL!

iii
Abstract
Improved biomass energy technologies and alternative biomass fuels were introduced in Kitui
(Kenya) as alternative renewable source of energy following domestic energy crisis. Despite
these noble efforts, the adoption level of the technologies and fuels has remained low. Thus,
this study aimed at investigating the socio-economic factors that influence the current adoption
of improved biomass energy technologies for cooking and households’ acceptance and
willingness to switch from one fuel and technology to another in rural and urban Kitui Central
with a view to future uptake of alternative biomass fuels and improved biomass energy
technologies for cooking.
The study was conducted in rural and urban regions of Kitui Central. A conceptual framework
based on adoption theories guided the analysis of factors influencing adoption of technologies
and fuels. It focused on five different biomass fuels: firewood, charcoal, briquettes, biogas, and
Jatropha oil and on eight different improved biomass energy technologies for cooking.
The study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection and analysis.
The research study used questionnaires, interview schedule, photography and observation in
data collection. For the structured survey of 100 households, it employed a stratified sampling
procedure involving disproportionate stratification of rural and urban households. Chi square
and Phi tests were used to analyse statistical relationships of variables. The results are presented
in bar charts, percentages and means.
The study found out that household wealth play an important role in adopting improved
biomass energy technologies for cooking. Adoption of biogas and briquette fuels and improved
firewood technologies is low in the study area. No adoption of liquid biofuel and briquette
technology in the study area. Rural and urban households show a distinct pattern of adoption
with regard to biomass fuels and technologies due to different level of awareness, household
wealth, perceptions and constraints.
Various stakeholders are focusing on improving access to affordable and reliable alternative
biomass fuels and technologies for cooking. They have generally not achieved their targets due
to lack of infrastructure, inadequate man power and misguided perceptions by the households.
Overall, the study reveals that rural and urban households show quite a distinct pattern of
acceptance with regard to the five biomass fuels due to their different availability, current
knowledge about the fuels and different socio-economic situations of the households. There is
iv
a distinct pattern on the specific improved biomass energy technologies households are willing
to adopt due to different preferences. The rural and urban households’ acceptance of biomass
fuels and improved biomass technologies and willingness to switch to alternative fuels
indicates possibilities and options for the future uptake.
The study recommends creation of awareness on the available alternative biomass fuels and
improved technologies. There is need to train households on the effective use of the available
biomass energy technologies. Quality and performance standards as outlined by government
and regulatory bodies should be ensured. Selection of clean cooking technologies should
incorporate user preferences and be based on the local context. Knowledge sharing by the
adopters should also be encouraged in the area and more data on stove efficiency and emissions
under field conditions are required.

v
Acronyms
AFREPREN - African Energy Policy Research Network
BC - Black carbon
CETRAD - Centre for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development
COPD - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
DEEP - Developing energy enterprises project
DME - Dimethyl ether
ERC - Energy Regulatory Commission
GACC - Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves
GERES - Group for the Environment, Renewable Energy and Solidarity
GHGs - Greenhouse gases
GIZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
GVEPI - Global Village Energy Partnership International
HAP - Household air pollution
HIV/AIDS - Human immunodeficiency virus / Acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome
IEA - International Energy Agency
ICS - Improved cookstoves
IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature
KEBS - Kenya Bureau of Standards
KIRDI - Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute
KCJ - Kenya ceramic jiko
KNBS - Kenya National Bureau of statistics
KWFT - Kenya Women Trust Fund
LPG - Liquefied petroleum gas
vi
NEMA - National Environment Management Authority
OECD - Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
SE4ALL - Sustainable energy for all
SES - Social-economic status
SPSS - Statistical package for social sciences
UN - United Nations
UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
UNCED - United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund
UNFCC - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
USAID - United States Agency for International Development
WBA - World Bioenergy Association
WEC - World Energy Council
WSSD - World Summit on Sustainable Development
WEHAB - Water Energy Health Agriculture and Biodiversity
WEO - World Energy Outlook
WHO - World Health Organization
EnDev-K - Energising development Kenya country programme
vii
Table of contents
Declaration .............................................................................................................................. i
Dedication .............................................................................................................................. ii
Acknowledgement ................................................................................................................ iii
Abstract ................................................................................................................................. iv
Acronyms .............................................................................................................................. vi
Table of contents ................................................................................................................ viii
List of figures ..................................................................................................................... xiii
List of tables ........................................................................................................................ xvi
List of plates ..................................................................................................................... xviii
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background to the study ................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the problem ................................................................................................. 2
1.3 Research questions ........................................................................................................... 4
1.3.1 General research question......................................................................................... 4
1.3.2 Specific research questions ....................................................................................... 4
1.4 Objective of the study ...................................................................................................... 4
1.4.1 General objective ....................................................................................................... 4
1.4.2 Specific objectives ...................................................................................................... 5
1.5 Research hypotheses ........................................................................................................ 5
1.6 Justification of the study .................................................................................................. 5
1.7 Scope of the study ............................................................................................................ 7
1.7.1 Thematic scope .......................................................................................................... 7
1.7.3 Area of study .............................................................................................................. 8
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................ 13
2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 13
viii
2.2 Global energy consumption and the role of bioenergy .................................................. 13
2.3 Biomass as a renewable energy source globally and factor of food security ................. 14
2.4 Household use of biomass energy developing countries ............................................... 16
2.5 Harmful effects of current cooking fuels and technologies ........................................... 17
2.5.1 Health ...................................................................................................................... 17
2.5.2 Environment............................................................................................................. 18
2.6 The context of improved cookstoves within East Africa ............................................... 18
2.7 Improved cookstoves in Kenya ...................................................................................... 19
2.7.1 Industry overview .................................................................................................... 20
2.7.2 Enabling environment in kenya for disseminating improved stoves ....................... 21
2.8 Household cooking fuels and technologies .................................................................... 22
2.8.1 Cooking biomass energy types ................................................................................ 22
2.8.2 Cooking technologies .............................................................................................. 22
2.9 Factors influencing adoption of improved cookstoves .................................................. 22
2.10 Sustainability criteria of production of biomass energy............................................... 29
2.11 Summary and knowledge gap ...................................................................................... 30
2.12 Theoretical framework ................................................................................................. 31
2.12.1 Innovation and diffusion theory ............................................................................. 31
2.12.2 The innovation-decision process ........................................................................... 33
2.12.3 Attributes of innovations and rate of adoption ...................................................... 36
2.12.4 Theory of planned behavior ................................................................................... 39
2.13 Conceptual framework of the study ............................................................................. 39
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ................................................................ 43
3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 43
3.2 Research design .............................................................................................................. 43
3.3 Sampling methods .......................................................................................................... 43
ix