Insights into household fuel use in Kenyan communities

Abstract

Clean household fuel use is a cornerstone of the development of sustainable cities, in order to minimise household combustion emissions in communities and the negative air quality and human health impacts associated with this. In developing countries, factors determining fuel use are multi-faceted and complex. A survey was thus conducted to better understand the current household fuel usage profile in four regions of Kenya; namely Bomet, Voi, Mombasa and Narok. The fuel use parameters investigated covered bio-data and economic status, dwelling type, fuel choice and usage, combustion devices and ventilation in kitchens. The fuel type usage was distributed between firewood (25 %), charcoal (24 %), kerosene (24 %) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (23 %). Three-stone stoves were still predominant in rural communities, whilst cleaner devices burning kerosene and LPG were used more widely in urban Mombasa. With the exception of Voi, there were more chimneys in urban dwellings than in the rural homes, even though brick houses were the most popular dwelling type overall (52 %). The results of this study will provide a useful basis for decision making regarding potential future clean energy intervention strategies in Kenya in order to promote sustainable development.