Across Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands, communities face the dual challenge of meeting energy needs while safeguarding fragile ecosystems. In Kajiado South Sub-County, the Kuku Group Ranch lies within a critical corridor connecting Amboseli and Tsavo ecosystems. However, it faces the challenges of meeting conservation goals and energy needs. Our research hence explored the relationship between rural energy use, biodiversity conservation, and community development. Using household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and satellite imagery analysis, we assessed energy patterns, forest cover change, and community perceptions.

We found out that over 80% of households depend on firewood, driving forest degradation and increasing the burden on women and children who spend hours collecting fuelwood. Yet, there is strong community awareness of clean energy options, with biomass briquettes, biogas, and solar identified as the most promising solutions. The adoption of clean energy was found to have the potential to reduce deforestation, improve livelihoods, and strengthen resilience to climate change. The policy brief outlines both short-term and long-term recommendations for Kajiado South, emphasizing that rural development and environmental sustainability can advance together when energy planning is aligned with biodiversity conservation.

Read the full policy brief here: https://learnresearch.network/publications/rural-energy-use-in-promoting-biodiveristy-conservation-and-community-development-in-kajiado-south-subcounty/