A women’s group in Naivasha Sub County has embarked on production of briquettes made from cow dung for use as an alternative fuel.
Tuende Women Group chairperson Rosemary Wambui said the group consisting of 25 members had come up with the innovation following cases of residents straying into nearby bush to look for firewood.
“It’s important to create the environment conservation awareness to the people and also offer them an alternative so that they have no excuse to destroy the forest,” said Wambui.
She said raw material for production includes charcoal powder which is a waste, mixed with cow dung and water to produce paste.
"You just take the charcoal powder and cow dung; mix with water to make a paste. The paste is then shaped by hand into fist size balls and later dried in the sun and when dry the charcoal is ready to be used," she said.
She added that charcoal production has created employment for group members which has helped them start other projects like farming and rearing of animals for commercial purposes.
Joyce Wangari from Kenya Women Finance Trust encouraged women to start projects that will assist them to get loans and hence develop.
She termed the project environmental friendly, saying more people should use the briquettes to boost income for the women.