High
poverty levels especially in
rural areas are asignificant challenge that faces East Africa. Based on the national poverty threshold, thenumber of people living in poverty in Kenya is estimated to have risenfrom 11 million (48% of the population) in 1990 to 17 million (56% of thepopulation) in 2001. Most
poor households (87%) live in rural areas. Of these,subsistence farmers account for over 50% in Kenya. Efforts to reverse povertytrends have been inadequate, as poverty levels continue to rise. In Tanzania,surveys indicate that poverty is more prevalent in rural areas relative tourban areas. About 60% of rural populationis poor compared to about 39% of the urban population (TaTEDO, 2004). Despite the role of
energy in poverty reduction being widelyrecognized, energy services for productive purposes in agricultural,small-scale agro-processing and small and medium enterprises (SME) are yet tobe adequately addressed. The limited access that rural people have to adequate,affordable and convenient energy sources possibly ranks amongst the greatestimpediments to their social and economic well being and development.Rural electrification levels in both Kenya and Tanzania are woefully low. In cases where electricity is provided inrural areas, it is often unaffordable to the poor, who therefore cannot accessit. With the bulk of the region’s poor resident in dispersed rural settlements,conventional grid electrification is, in the near term, considered toocostly. As a result, the use of modernand improved energy options is very limited in rural areas. Traditionalbiomass energy dominates major consumption sectors, namely, household,agriculture and small enterprises. Thisstate of affairs significantly contributes to the poverty levels in rural areasof the region. Renewable energy
technologies (RETs) can play an importantrole in poverty reduction in rural areas in the region. This is especially true for RETs that operateon the basis of solar, thermal, mechanical and animate power, i.e.non-
electrical RETs. These energyoptions are not only affordable to the poor, but can also play a major role innational development in terms of job creation and income generation, as well asproviding environmentally sound energy services. A growing number of energyanalysts perceive non-electrical renewable energy options as important forproductive uses and poverty reduction.The findings of the study indicate that small-scaleirrigation systems such as treadle pumps have continued to gain popularity andare making significant impacts on rural communities in Kenya. The pumps, costing betweenUS$ 39-69, have ensured improved food security, diversification of cropproduction, income generation and creation of employment to end-users. Only 10%of the estimated market of 360,000 units has been reached and this isattributable to many factors such as rampant poverty; lack of information;capital; inadequate promotional strategies; limited research and adaptation ofnew pumps; lack of clear policies on irrigation; land tenure and inadequatequantity; and quality of water. However, there is an upward trend in theadoption of these pumps.Wind pumps, on the other hand, are cost competitive whereaverage speed is greater than 3m/s (e.g. over 50% of Kenya experiences such a windregime) and can be more attractive than other options such as diesel and solardriven pumps. Wind pumps are in use tolift water for domestic uses, irrigation and livestock. The pumps can be used to meet water needs inrural areas of Kenya and Tanzaniawhere more than half of the population has no access to safe water. Most wind pumps on the market aremanufactured locally, with the bulk of the components sourced from local storesand workshops. Ram pumps are a mature technology that has been widelydisseminated in Tanzania.Most of the ram pumps reported in Tanzania were locally manufacturedby a local company, Jandu Plumbers and have been in operation for more than 10years hence can be said to be reliable.Ram pumps are mostly intended for domestic and livestock supplies inhilly and mountainous areas, requiring small flow rates delivered to highheads. However, although not originallydesigned for direct irrigation purposes, ram pumps are already used for thispurpose, requiring significant investment in drive and delivery pipes to ensurethe requisite high flow rates for irrigation purposes. Other barriers hindering development and adoption ofnon-electrical RETs have been identified as: lack of ideal institutionalcoordination models since these technologies fall within a number of sectors(e.g. water, agriculture, etc) with no specific allocation of mandates andresponsibilities. Furthermore, past project failures in waterpumping and irrigation technologies pose one of the main challenges in thedevelopment and adoption of these technologies. Identifying and documenting reasons for thefailure of these technologies will go a long way in overcoming the barriers toadoption in future.The study also indicates that the role of informaltechnicians and artisans who have been innovative in the fabrication andmaintenance of such technologies has not been recognised. Curricula developmentat universities and colleges has not addressed needs of personnel and artisansfor such technologies at local levels.Recognising the potentialand devising mechanisms to address the above mentioned barriers would helprejuvenate these technologies to meet the needs of the poor in rural areas of Kenya and Tanzania. The study recommends theneed for urgent creation of an enabling environment for the uptake of thesesmall-scale technologies. Aggressive andtargeted lobbying of policy makers, aimed at ensuring non-electrical renewablesare given higher priority should be done in each of the countries. Another key recommendation is the establishmentof a rural energy fund to finance the acquisition of non-electrical RETs. Such a fund will enable the poor to accessthese technologies, which can play an important role in improving their incomesand food security
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