SDG 8 IN KENYA

In 2015, CarbonZero Kenya began researching potential groups in Kisumu West in Kenya that could undertake the hefty task of manufacturing 900 fuel-efficient cookstoves for promotion under the Toshiba CarbonZero scheme. The Umeme Women’s Group, a small female business and mutual support group, was eventually selected.Judith Okeyo, a member of the group, recounts how she had very little knowledge of alternatives to using the inefficient 3-stone fire for cooking prior to her group’s selection to take part in the scheme. Like many residents of Kisumu West, her family was suffering from the escalating deforestation in Kisumu West wrought by the pressure on forests for firewood. With wood itself becoming increasingly scarce, her family had little option but to buy firewood, which would at time account for almost 50% of household income, presenting a vast financial burden simply to be able to cook.

The turning point came in 2015, when Umeme Women’s Group was selected to be part of the CarbonZero scheme. The group received training in how to source the supplies and manufacture artisanal stoves, and also received business management training to help them market the stoves and manage sales and income. The group members now also act as experts in their own community who support stove owners to maintain stoves which have cracked or otherwise become damaged. Judith has gone from knowing nothing about fuel-efficient stoves to becoming an expert on the subject in the space of 2 years.

In addition to promoting a stove that greatly reduces the burden on households to obtain firewood and vastly reduced CO2 emissions, the group members themselves received a great financial boost through their engagement in the project. The group operates a revolving fund which several members have subsequently been able to borrow from to support their own household level small businesses, particularly in selling groceries locally. Group members also receive income for the time they spend working on producing stoves.

Judith has been able to make great improvements to her family’s livelihood through the combination of income she has received and money she has saved from not needing to buy firewood. For example, she has been able to complete repair work on her house which had been dragging on for several years, thereby providing a proper living environment for her family, as well as saving the funds to support her children’s education in years to come.

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