WOODFUEL ACCESSIBILITY IN THE RURAL AND URBAN AREAS OF TRANS-NZOIA AND WEST-POKOT COUNTIES, KENYA

Abstract

This study investigated woodfuel accessibility in the rural and urban areas of Trans Nzoia and West-Pokot Counties, with the aim of providing scientific data for appropriate decision-making in ensuring sustainable accessibility. Across-sectional research design and multi-stage sampling techniques were applied. Kolongolo and Kacheliba were selected as rural areas of Trans-Nzoia and West-Pokot respectively, Kitale and Makutano were selected as urban areas. Questionnaires were administered to 365 households and 50 Small Scale Enterprises (SME) hotels, and 10 key informants interviewed. Field observations were made and captured using digital camera. Accessibility levels were categorized into very accessible, accessible, inaccessible and very inaccessible. Linear regression, Kruskal-Wallis test, and χ2 -test of association were used in data analysis. Results indicated that among households, firewood and charcoal were accessible in Kacheliba, but inaccessible in Kolongolo, Makutano and Kitale. Among SME hotels, charcoal was inaccessible both in Makutano and Kitale. In general, woodfuel was accessible in Kacheliba, and inaccessible in Kolongolo, Makutano and Kitale. In Kolongolo, 85.6% of households using firewood were practicing freehold land tenure. In Kitale, 79.1% of households using charcoal had adopted improved charcoal cook stove with a ceramic lining. In Kacheliba, 71.4% of households using charcoal were aware of government policies governing charcoal production, transportation and utilization. In Makutano, 71.4% of households using charcoal had a family size of between 4 and 6 members. Kruskal Wallis test indicated a significant difference in woodfuel accessibility levels between the four study areas (χ2 (3,95)=46.526, N =405, P = <0.001). χ2 -test of association indicated that firewood and charcoal accessibility levels have insignificant association with existing government policies and regulations. This research concluded that in West-Pokot County, woodfuel is accessible in rural areas, but inaccessible in urban areas, while woodfuel is inaccessible in rural and urban areas of Trans-Nzoia County. Firewood and charcoal accessibility are not affected by existing government policies and regulations. It recommends efficient enforcement of existing policies that will reduce distance travelled, time taken, cost and budgetary allocation on firewood and charcoal among households and SME hotels.