This archive report was first published on 26 October 2019.
Laikipia North, Kenya - In a bid to reduce fuelwood consumption and promote environmental conservation, communities in Laikipia North have adopted energy-saving jikos, a move that has also created business opportunities for local youth.
According to Petroline Sarai, a beneficiary of the improved energy-saving jikos, the adoption of the new technology has reduced her fuelwood consumption by half. 'I now go for firewood once every week, because with the new jiko, firewood is less consumed,' she explained.
The improved jikos were installed in the homes of 30 youths from two groups in Laikipia North, who were trained and equipped with skills to install the improvised jikos through the IMARA program. The youths have since converted the installation of the improved jikos into a business model, targeting women in the saving for Transformation Groups as their market.
'We were trained on materials needed, how to construct them and install the jikos at home,' said Francesca Sanaipei, a youth member of the Ntaiwa Naaishipa Women group. 'We have three improved jiko models, each with a different price - lowest goes for 1500 shillings, and highest goes for KSH 7000 including the building materials.'
The women in the community are borrowing loans from their saving for Transformation groups to fund the installation of the jikos, which has created a sustainable business model in the community.
'The key to creating economic empowerment is by creating sustainable business models in the community,' said Livelihood and Resilience Specialist Joseph Ethekon. 'The youth groups approached women in the saving for Transformation Groups because they were a ready market for them.'
According to Natural Resource Management Specialist Margarate Makui, the improved jikos are more hygienic than the traditional ones, consume less fuelwood, save time, and money for women who buy fuelwood.
Published on October 26, 2019
