Alternative Energy Sources from Mui Basin in Kitui District, Kenya - A Case of Coal

Abstract

Four coal exploration wells were sunk in the Mui Basin area lying in two administrative districts of Kenya, Mwingi and Kitui districts. The average depths sunk ranged between 17 - 135 m. Coal samples encountered were analysed for calorific value, ash content, carbon content, and were subsequently coal ranked. The samples were found to have calorific values ranging from 3318 - 3980 callg and were ranked from bituminous to peat. The average ash content ranged between 25 - 50 % while the carbon content ranged between 40 - 48.5 %. The coal may be exploited for power generation