Charcoal Sector Poses Regulatory Challenge For Kenya

Over the past 20 years, Kenya has introduced laws and policies in an effort to bring the sector into the formal economy and reduce its environmental impact.

In a review of regulations governing Kenya’s wood fuel sector, scientists Phosiso Sola and Paolo Cerutti with the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), identified bottlenecks and demonstrated how it could become more environmentally friendly while continuing to support livelihoods.

They revealed that there was limited coordination and cooperation between various parties managing the sector and that counties have limited capacity to deliver on all the devolved functions and responsibilities.

Charcoal is produced in kilns by burning wood while limiting the supply of oxygen through a process known as carbonization. Most of this production occurs in forest-rich rural areas. The charcoal is then transported to urban centers where it is sold.