International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

Firewood Accessibility among Rural and Urban Households in Trans-Nzoia and West-Pokot Counties, Kenya

    , , ,

Author Affiliations

  • 1School of Natural Resource Management, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100 Eldoret, Kenya
  • 2School of Natural Resource Management, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100 Eldoret, Kenya
  • 3School of Natural Resource Management, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100 Eldoret, Kenya
  • 4School of Natural Resource and Environmental Management, University of Kabianga P.O. Box 2030-20200 Kericho, Kenya

Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., Volume 5, Issue (5), Pages 1-11, May,22 (2016)

Abstract

This study investigated firewood accessibility in rural and urban areas of Trans-Nzoia and West-Pokot counties of Kenya. The aim was to avail scientific data for appropriate policy formulation to ensure sustainable firewood accessibility. The study employed independent group resear ch design. Stratified random sampling technique was use d to categorize households into rural and urban households. Conve nience sampling was used to select Kolongolo and Ka cheliba to represent rural areas of Trans-Nzoia and West-Pokot resp ectively. Purposeful sampling technique was used to select Kitale and Makutano to represent urban areas in Trans-Nzoia and West-Pokot correspondently. Systematic random sam pling was used to select a total of 355 households from the study ar eas. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and observation; and analyzed using Kruskal Wallis Test, and Chi-square test of association. Firewood accessibility was measured based on distance (Km)/Kg, time (hours)/Kg, household monthly expenditure, cost (Kshs)/Kg, and budgetary allocation (%) on firewood used. Results indicated that average distance/kg of firewood collected in Kacheliba was 0.29 Km, while average time/Kg in Makutano was 0.38 hours. In Kitale, average cost/kg of firewood and household mont hly expenditure were Kshs 8.2 and Kshs 1577.5 respectively. Averagge monthly budgetary allocation on firewood in Kacheliba was 32%. In terms of accessibility, firewood was accessible in K acheliba but inaccessible in Kolongolo, Makutano and K itale. Land tenure system, government policies, cookstove technolo gies, and family size were common factors influencing household’s firewood accessibility. Analysis indicated significant differences in households’ firewood accessibility levels in the four areas (X2=11.998(0.05,3), N=249, p=0.007). X2-test indicated that firewood accessibility levels have insignificant association with existing government policies. We conclud e that firewood is accessible in rural areas of West-Pokot and inaccessible in rural and urban areas of Trans-Nzoia, and urban areas of West-Pokot. In addition, existing government policies are either inadequate or poorly enforced to enhance sustainable firewood accessibility. Therefore, law enfo rcers need to pull up their socks in enforcing current government policies and/or policy-makers need to formulate appropriate policies that will enhance firewood accessibility.

References

  1. Aquil A., Shadab K., Shadman H. and Tiwari G. (2014)., The Contemporary Scenario of Indian Renewable Energy Sector., Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., 3(11), 82-89
  2. Singh M. and Singh P. (2014)., A Review of Wind Energy Scenario in India., Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., 3(4), 87-92.
  3. Anjum A. (2012)., Biomass: Energy and Environmental Concerns in Developing Country., I Res. J. Environment Sci., 1(1), 54-57
  4. Aabeyir R., Quaye-Ballard J., Luise M. and Oduro W. (2011)., Analysis of Factors Affecting Sustainable Commercial Fuelwood Collection in Dawadawa And Kunsu In Kintampo North District Of Ghana., The IIOAB Journal, 2(2), 44-54.
  5. K Sander, B Hyseni and SW Haider (2011)., Wood-Based Biomass Energy Development for Sub-Saharan Africa Issues and Approaches., The International Bank for Reconstruction.
  6. Minang P.A., van Noordwijk M., Freeman O.E., Mbow C., de Leeuw J. and Catacutan, D. (Eds.). (2015)., Climate-Smart Landscapes: Multifunctionality in Practice., World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya.
  7. Egeru A., Kateregga E. And Gilber J. (2015)., Coping with Firewood Scarcity in Soroti District of Eastern Uganda., Open Journal of Forestry, 4(1), 70-74.
  8. Githiomi J., Mugendi D. and Kung’u B. (2012)., Analysis of Household Energy Sources and Woodfuel Utilisation Technologies in Kiambu, Thika and Maragwa Districts of Central Kenya., Journal of Horticulture and Forestry, 4(2), 43-48.
  9. Zainab B. and Fakhra A. (2014)., Production of Ethanol by Fermentation Process by using Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae., Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., 3(7), 24-32.
  10. Aleem A., Fakhra A. and Shahid A. (2014)., Quantification of Fat in Chicken’s Feather Meal for its Conversion into Biodiesel., Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., 3(6), 67-74.
  11. Abebe D., Koch F. and Mekonnen A. (2012)., Coping with Fuelwood Scarcity., Discussion Paper Series EfD DP 12-01.
  12. Huho M. (2012)., Conflict Resolution among Pastoral Communities in West Pokot County, Kenya: A Missing Link., Academic Research International, 3(3), 458-468.
  13. Commission on Revenue Allocation. (2013)., Kenya county Fact sheet. Government Printers, Nairobi.
  14. Mugo F. and Gathui T. (2010)., Biomass energy use in Kenya., A background paper prepared for the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) for an international ESPA workshop on biomass energy.
  15. Vahlne N. and Ahlgren O. (2014)., Policy Implications for Improved Cook Stove Programs—a Case Study of the Importance of Village Fuel Use Variations., Energy Policy., 66(2014), 484–495.
  16. Inayatullah J. (2011)., What Makes People Adopt Improved Cook Stoves? Empirical Evidence from Rural Northwest Pakistan., Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 16(5), 3200-3205.
  17. Ogwuche J. and Asobo V. (2013)., Assessment of Socio-economic Factors Affecting Household Charcoal use in Makurdi Urban Area of Benue State, Nigeria., Journal of Environmental Research and Management. 3(7), 0180-0188.
  18. Nyembe M. (2011)., An Econometric Analysis of Factors Determining Charcoal Consumption by Urban Households: The case of Zambia., Master’s Programme Degree Thesis No. 641, Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
  19. Jeuland M. and Pattanayak S. (2012)., Benefits and Costs of Improved Cookstoves: Assessing the Implications of Variability in Health, Forest and Climate Impacts., PloS One., 7(2), 1-15.
  20. Rosa G., Majorin F., Boisson S., Barstow C., Johnson M., Kirby M., Ngabo F., Thomas E. and Clasen T. (2014)., Assessing the Impact of Water Filters and Improved Cook Stoves on Drinking Water Quality and Household Air Pollution:, A Randomized Controlled Trial In Rwanda. PloS One., 9(3).
  21. Raman P., Murali J., Sakthivadivel D. and Vigneswaran S. (2013)., Evaluation of Domestic Cookstove Technologies Implemented across the World to Identify Possible Options for Clean and Efficient Cooking Solutions., Journal of Energy and Chemical Engineering, 1(1), 15-26.