Adoption of Human Waste Biogas Technology by Rural Households in Kiganjo Division Kiambu County, Kenya
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Date
2017-11
Authors
Mumbi, Mugambi Rahab
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Biogas can be produced from biological waste materials which include waste from
humans. Human waste can be transformed to eco-friendly and sustainable fuels that can
help to reduce deforestation and methane emissions through anaerobic digestion process.
This study investigated the factors that influence adoption of human waste biogas
technology among households in the rural areas of Kiganjo division, Kiambu County.
The objectives of the study were: to assess the level of awareness on human waste biogas
technology in the community, to determine community perception towards this
technology and to identify socio-economic factors that influence the adoption of this
technology in Kiganjo division. Descriptive research design targeting 2,323 households
in Kiganjo division was employed. Systematic random sampling was used to select 130
household heads from three locations in Kiganjo division (Mundoro, Kiamwangi and
Kiganjo). A structured questionnaire was administered to acquire data on awareness,
perception and opinion on adoption of human waste biogas technology. The data was
analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical package for social sciences
was used to statistically analyze the quantitative data where frequencies, correlation
coefficients, percentages, measures of central tendency and Chi- square were obtained.
Microsoft excel was used to display the results in tables and graphs. The study
established that none of the households had adopted the human waste biogas technology.
The major factors that hindered adoption of this technology were identified as; low level
of awareness due to inadequate information (r=0.121, p=0.169, n=130), negative
perception towards the technology (r= -0.776, p=0.000, n=130) and inadequate funds for
installation due to low income (r=0.311, p=0.000, n=130) of the household heads. Factors
identified to be of no hindrance to adoption included; education level, age and gender.
The study further established that government institutions, Non-governmental
organizations and other agencies that promote biogas technology had not engaged
themselves in the promotion of human waste biogas technology. This had implications on
the dissemination of information, motivation and credit accessibility to the household
heads. Based on the finding of the study, the ministry of energy in collaboration with
Non-governmental organizations and agencies that promote biogas should sensitize local
community on human waste biogas technology by providing the required information,
construction of demonstration centres in highly concentrated areas like schools and
market places. Also the government in conjunction with financial institutions should
assist local communities with funds at subsidized interest rate for the installation of the
human waste biogas units, and this will help enabling use of the technology and enhance
adoption of human waste biogas technology to save forests and clean up the environment.
Description
Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the
Degree of Master of Science (Environmental Education) in the School of
Environmental Studies of Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. November, 2017