Kilifi county to install biogas in secondary schools

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro speaks during a public participation exercise in May 2024. [Marion Kithi, Standard]

Secondary schools in Kilifi County are set to benefit from the installation of biogas in a plan to reduce the use of firewood and charcoal.

Yesterday, the county government said it has completed research on biogas technology to be installed in 178 day and boarding secondary schools.

Governor Gideon Mung'aro's administration plans to power all the institutions with friendly and renewable energy from organic matter such as food scraps and animal waste.

Kilifi Department of Energy Director Wilfred Kenga Baya said Kombeni Girls Secondary School in Rabai, has already benefited from the initiative.

"Boarding schools and day schools use a lot of firewood for cooking. Our plan is by 2026, every household in Kilifi will be connected to electricity. Those who cannot afford it will have a solar system or solar lantern," said Baya.

Most schools, businesses, and hotels in Kilifi depend on firewood for cooking, contributing to deforestation.

"Installing biogas units in our communities helps reduce over-reliance on shrinking forest cover, thus enhancing environmental conservation. Biogas is sustainable, easier to maintain, ferments faster due to the hot weather, and is clean to the environment," said Baya.

Apart from the biogas, farmers can also use the bio-effluent as fertiliser since it is safe for crop production.

According to data from the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census (KPHC), 85 per cent of Kilifi County residents rely on firewood, and 55 per cent of all Kenyans report using firewood for cooking. This figure is 11.6 per cent for charcoal.

Philomena Mitalo of Clean Cooking Associations (CCA) said Kilifi leads in charcoal and firewood use, especially at the institutional levels like schools and hotels.

"The use of firewood at the household level is very high. This is why we are telling institutions and businesses and hotels to embrace clean cooking alternatives and do a cost-benefit analysis," said Ms Mitalo.

Samuel Menza, land and energy officer, said that minimising the use of firewood by schools, households, and businesses will also contribute to climate change mitigation.

"Harmful greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced and the forest can now act better as a carbon sink," he said.