Hero photograph
Biogas in action
 

BIOGAS COOKING UNITS MEAN TREES NO LONGER NEED TO BE FELLED FOR COOKING IN NAKURU, KENYA.

PDG Elwyn Hodges —

The Rotary e Club of Australia Nomads used District Grant funding to provide Biogas cooking units in Nakuru Kenya. Now trees no longer need to be felled for cooking.

Article written based on information provided by PDG Elwyn Hodges, D9620 District Rotary Foundation Chair

The Rotary e Club of Australia Nomads used District Grant funding to provide Biogas cooking units in Nakuru Kenya. Prior to the installation of the Biogas units, cooking was done from firewood and in many cases outside. Now trees no longer need to be felled for cooking. Recently they celebrated the last of the Biogas Units being handed over to the recipients by the President of the Nakuru Club in Kenya, Joab Okello.

Biogas handover Jab 2022

The use of biogas units can solve a variety of energy, environmental, and health issues in rural communities. The biowaste material - cow dung - is dropped into the pictured concrete digester (hidden underground) and water is mixed with it at convenient times. The gas produced is used as cooking fuel. 

Biogas Digestor under construction
Biogas digestor in action

This gas reduces the amount of wood burned, therefore reducing deforestation and exposure to the toxic smoke and fumes produced by traditional wood-burning stoves. It is reported that “6,600 people in Kenya alone die every year as a result of exposure to smoke from traditional cook stoves and open fires.” So using the natural gas from these biogas units contributes to both environmental sustainability and the health of this community.

Biogas in action

What has this District Grant project changed for the Nakuru community:-

  1. No longer do the local trees get destroyed for firewood to cook with. No chopping firewood, just turn the gas on and light the flame
  2. No longer do the residents have to cook on an open fire on the ground at the entrance to their humble homes.
  3. No longer does smoke from the open fire enter their homes, causing respiratory issues and hindering children’s home schoolwork.
  4. Healthier meals can now be provided with a reliable internal small stove in a weather protected area (the home) at any time, so no cooking in the rain.
  5. There is also a time saving benefit that was not recognised during the project assessment stage.

Commissioning video

Here is a link to a YouTube Video showing the commissioning of a number of the Biogas units. It shows the gratitude of a number of the families who are now using these units
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtTjaoLmEdA