By Betty Luke
An Isiolo-based businessman has called on the county government to support residents’ diversification to clean sources of energy to mitigate further effects of climate change that continue to negatively impact livelihoods.
Engineer James Karani who runs a briquettes production firm in Isiolo town said if supported to adopt other sources of energy for home use, residents would cease from charcoal burning and instead venture into alternative means of livelihood.
The entrepreneur uses maize combs, husks, gum Arabica and molasses to make the briquettes make them a longer-burning fuel source unlike normal charcoal.
According to Karani, tree cutting for charcoal burning had majorly contributed to climate change and there was a need for a sustainable solution to ensure residents can access cleaner sources of energy as well as income.
“With a subsidy, charcoal traders would embrace briquettes both for sale and home consumption instead of using charcoal that poses health hazards to the user,” he said during an interview with The Press Point.
The businessman revealed his intention to explore areas of partnership with the county government in efforts to discourage charcoal traders from charcoal businesses and instead to venture into briquettes selling.
This comes at a time when a section of charcoal traders in the county have urged the government and non-state actors to support them venture into environmentally friendly businesses.
Speaking in Isiolo town, the traders said funds that had been set aside to support environmental conservation efforts should support their diversification, to achieve a cleaner environment.
“I take no pride in charcoal selling due to its effects on the environment but then I have no alternative. With support, I am ready to embrace an alternative livelihood that does not pose a threat to my health,” noted Ms Jane Kananu.
According to the residents, charcoal burning was frustrating the government’s commitment to plant 15 billion trees in quest to reduce the impact of climate change across the country.
Charcoal briquettes, unlike normal charcoal, produce less smoke, burn faster and longer and significantly help reduce reliance on tree cutting, making them environmentally friendly.
Karani says since venturing into Waso Choma Zone hotel business in 2023, he had reduced the cost of roasting meat by half.
“We used to spend Sh20 charcoal to roast one kilogram of meat but that has reduced to Sh10 for the same weight which indicates that the use of briquettes is more economical than the conventional charcoal,” he said.
A recent research by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) indicates that reducing reliance on wood fuel and reducing carbon emissions can greatly help mitigate effects of climate change.
