Environment and energy sources: a study of domestic energy choices in Kasarani, Westlands and Makadara divisions in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

This study was conducted on domestic energy choices in Makadara, Westlands and Kasarani divisions in Nairobi Province, Kenya, from the first week of September to December 2005.These areas were purposely selected because Nairobi is a cosmopolitan City with diverse human population of different socio-economic backgrounds. The objectives of the present research work were to determine the choices of domestic sources in selected neighborhoods, types of energy use and to monitor the effect of human environmental factor in the selection of household energy. Data collection was done using the household questionnaire which comprised both open ended and closed items and the household energy checklist. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The research findings are that income and education play a pivotal role in the choice of household energy. 5.5% of the respondents used kerosene as household energy for cooking and had primary level of education, while with secondary education 13.5% used kerosene, 20% used LPG and 3 % used charcoal; and with tertiary education 11.5% of respondents used kerosene and 46.5% of used LPG. 60% of the respondents considered the energy efficiency of the household energy before making the choice to use it, while 40% of the respondents did not, also 54% of the respondents used equipment and appliances in the households that conserved energy, while 46% of the respondents did not .From the research 64% of the respondents did not consider the environmental merits in making a choice for the household energy,36% of the did consider. The Minister for Finance should lower taxes on all petroleum products and especially Liquefied Petroleum Gas and kerosene to make it affordable to the households. Awareness creation by the Ministry of Energy and its related agencies on use of household energy conserving appliances. The government should provide price subsidies in order to make household energy affordable for all. To promote renewable sources of energy such as solar to mitigate demand on energy types such as charcoal and wood fuel. The Ministry of Energy should lower the electricity tariffs it will put less impact on forest and charcoal. Findings of this study will be useful to plan for energy sources for the population of Kenya