Adoption Of Human Waste Biogas Technology By Rural Households In Kiganjo Division Kiambu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Biogas can be produced from biological waste materials which include waste from humans. Human waste can be transformed to eco-friendly and sustainable fuels that can help to reduce deforestation and methane emissions through anaerobic digestion process. This study investigated the factors that influence adoption of human waste biogas technology among households in the rural areas of Kiganjo division, Kiambu County. The objectives of the study were: to assess the level of awareness on human waste biogas technology in the community, to determine community perception towards this technology and to identify socio-economic factors that influence the adoption of this technology in Kiganjo division. Descriptive research design targeting 2,323 households in Kiganjo division was employed. Systematic random sampling was used to select 130 household heads from three locations in Kiganjo division (Mundoro, Kiamwangi and Kiganjo). A structured questionnaire was administered to acquire data on awareness, perception and opinion on adoption of human waste biogas technology. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical package for social sciences was used to statistically analyze the quantitative data where frequencies, correlation coefficients, percentages, measures of central tendency and Chi- square were obtained. Microsoft excel was used to display the results in tables and graphs. The study established that none of the households had adopted the human waste biogas technology. The major factors that hindered adoption of this technology were identified as; low level of awareness due to inadequate information (r=0.121, p=0.169, n=130), negative perception towards the technology (r= -0.776, p=0.000, n=130) and inadequate funds for installation due to low income (r=0.311, p=0.000, n=130) of the household heads. Factors identified to be of no hindrance to adoption included; education level, age and gender. The study further established that government institutions, Non-governmental organizations and other agencies that promote biogas technology had not engaged themselves in the promotion of human waste biogas technology. This had implications on the dissemination of information, motivation and credit accessibility to the household heads. Based on the finding of the study, the ministry of energy in collaboration with Non-governmental organizations and agencies that promote biogas should sensitize local community on human waste biogas technology by providing the required information, construction of demonstration centres in highly concentrated areas like schools and market places. Also the government in conjunction with financial institutions should assist local communities with funds at subsidized interest rate for the installation of the human waste biogas units, and this will help enabling use of the technology and enhance adoption of human waste biogas technology to save forests and clean up the environment.