| dc.description.abstract | Biogas is an important source of green energy and the growth of its production in Kenya is mainly supported by co-digestion of manure. Economic and institutional factors have been identified to affect the success of the Kenyan biogas sector. This study dwelt on adoption of biogas technology in Kiambu and aimed to analyze the demographic factors that affected the adoption of biogas technology, evaluate the governance issues on the same and determine the perceived benefits of adoption of the technology. Data was collected by surveying 416 (n=208 households producing biogas and n=208 households not producing biogas). Households were randomly selected using the transect line survey of every fifth household in four sub-counties in Kiambu. Equal distribution of sampled households was ensured for each ward sampled (n=13 for households producing biogas and n=13 for households not producing biogas). Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was tested using Chi-square test (P≤0.05). Biogas technology adoption rate in Kiambu was low (25%) and this was even lower in female-headed households (33%). Other demographic factors that significantly influenced biogas adoption in Kiambu included age of the household head, the main farming activity practiced, land ownership tenure, livestock keeping activity, and household income level (n=416, P≤0.05). However the respondents‘ education level did not significantly influence the adoption rate. Respondents‘ knowledge, attitudes and practices on adoption of biogas and its governance indicate that 87.64% of the respondents knew about biogas and its usefulness. Only minority (21%) were aware of the regulatory legislation and majority (85%) did not comply with the regulations. As stated, biogas adoption in Kiambu was low (25%) and that majority of those adopting the technology (98%) were not organized into
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associations. There was also moderate (50%) institutional support for biogas adoption. Results show that willingness to adopt biogas technology is high in Kiambu (90%), and the felt value addition in being members of biogas user associations is also high (95%). However, the regulation process is weak (21%). Both adopters and non-adopters were aware of benefits of adopting biogas technology and pointed out environmental, social and economic benefits (n=80; P≤0.05; X2=84). Adopters cited the improved farm fertility and clean environment through utilization of slurry from the biogas bio-digesters in farms (n=40; P≤0.05; X2=91). All respondents indicated that adoption of biogas technology would help mitigate climate change (n=80; P≤0.05; X2=67). All respondents also indicated that biogas reduces indoor pollution (n=80; P≤0.05; X2=92.4). Biogas was indicated to offer the benefit of manure waste management (n=80; P≤0.05; X2=89.1). Respondents stated that adoption of biogas would help save on time used to fetch firewood (n=80; P≤0.05; X2=94). It was highly rated on reliability (n=80; X2=67) and efficiency (n=80; X2=60). Adopting respondents indicated biogas is economical (n=40; X2=56). All respondents cited the benefit of job creation (n=80; X2=53). It is recommended that policy on biogas adoption is not only based on the need to decrease environmental pollution but also the need to address the challenges arising from demographic disparities in the communities. Weak regulation led to low adoption of biogas technology in Kiambu but a potential exists for its enhanced adoption especially through increased institutional and legislation support. There is also need for awareness creation on governance instruments and need to address the capacity gaps existing. Incorporation of awareness of perceived benefits could prove useful in co-designing and co-implementation of governance and management frameworks for biogas in Kiambu County and Kenya at large. | en_US |
