Smokeless homes : Challenges for Increasing Use of Improved Biomass Cookstoves in Kisumu, Kenya.

Abstract: In Kenya, 69 percent of populations depend on biomass fuels to meet their cooking needs. The incomplete combustion of biomass is performed in insufficiently ventilated settings thus exposing human health and environment to toxic pollution. To date, women and children in resource limited settings have been most vulnerable to severe respiratory infections. The promotion of the Improved Biomass Cookstoves has become a popular issue in policy, research and practice. Community Based Organizations have however faced serious challenges in increasing sustainable use of the cookstoves among users. This qualitative study investigates the role of Community Based Organizations in promoting the Improved Biomass Cookstoves through women’s empowerment initiatives. It applies focus group interviews, questionnaire and formal interviews. 11 interview forms were administered to 30 women, 2 key informants and 3 implementing Community Based Organization representatives in Dunga wetland community. A combination of previous research and this empirical study show that economic resources, small diameter stove designs as well as insufficient policy support hinder effective stove programmes. While there is general adoption, women lack sufficient income and ownership of land which is a significant resource to empowerment. Women informal financial networks are instrumental in driving behavioral change towards clean cooking in the community. Sufficient gender sensitive policy intervention and support can provide effective channels to ensure sustainable incomes of women, livelihoods and stove use.