Alternative Cooking Fuels in Kenya: How Can Household Decision-Making Be Impacted?

Abstract

The economic theory states that as income rises, households tend to substitute traditional solid biomass cooking fuels with transitional and modern clean cooking fuels. However, in the case of Kenya, one of the few lucky African countries enjoying high growth rates whit a positive impact on the income level of its citizens, the switch to modern fuels is not always observed. In facts, Kenyan cooking practices are characterized by a strong dependence on solid biomass, with 82% of the households still using firewood or charcoal every day, and with a negative impact on the environment and severe health issues that need to be addressed. This paper informs on the current situation of households' cooking fuels consumption and maps out the country's cooking fuels market. By focusing on the analysis of the data collected through two independent field surveys, it then identifies the key factors affecting the fuel choices. In particular, the paper finds that affordability and access to credit are the variables with most explanatory power in predicting consumers' choices. The paper finally suggests specific actions to undertake in order to impact the households' decisions.