| dc.description.abstract | Climate change has emerged as a critical global challenge, affecting the most vulnerable
populations, particularly in developing regions where agricultural livelihoods rely on stable
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weather patterns. This study sought to evaluate the existing energy status and the climate
change challenges affecting these communities, with the aim of establishing their energy
requirements and the effects of climate fluctuations. Specifically, the study was carried out to
assess community perceptions regarding greenhouse gas emissions from bioethanol versus
traditional cooking fuels in Alego-Usonga Sub-County, to determine the socio-economic
impacts of bioethanol projects on community livelihoods, and to identify barriers to
bioethanol adoption and recommend strategies for scaling up such projects in Siaya. Several
delimiters guided the study. Geographically, the research was conducted in the Alego-
Usonga Sub-County, one of the six sub-counties of Siaya County. Given that the area faces
high poverty levels and has experienced the effects of climate change over a long period, it
provided an opportunity for an in-depth analysis of the local context and the unique
challenges faced by its inhabitants. The study was anchored on the Energy Ladder Theory, a
conceptual framework that explained how households and communities transitioned from
using traditional, inefficient energy sources to modern, cleaner energy as their socio-
economic conditions improved. A mixed-methods research design was adopted to
comprehensively address the study’s objectives. A two-stage sampling method was
employed to ensure a comprehensive and representative selection of communities and
households within Alego-Usonga Sub-County. A structured household survey served as the
primary quantitative tool used to collect data from a broad range of households. The
quantitative data collected from the surveys was analyzed using SPSS to generate descriptive
and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics such as means, percentages, and standard
deviations were used to summarize key variables, including household energy consumption,
income levels, and time saved after adopting bioethanol. The study further found that the
community perceives bioethanol as a clean fuel source, with respondents strongly agreeing
that it reduces air pollution and deforestation. The findings also revealed that bioethanol
adoption has had a notably positive influence on household well-being in Alego-Usonga,
Siaya County. Further, it was determined by the study that technical limitations, such as the
skills needed to operate and maintain bioethanol equipment, were also noted as barriers.
Cultural resistance was found to be minimal in this study, suggesting a strong openness
within the community towards embracing alternative and cleaner cooking technologies. It
was concluded by the study that while there is a promising shift toward cleaner energy
through the adoption of bioethanol in Alego-Usonga, traditional biomass fuels like firewood
still dominate due to structural and affordability barriers. It was also concluded by the study
that while there is strong community openness toward adopting bioethanol cooking
technologies in Siaya, significant barriers such as high stove costs, limited access to
information, and technical challenges hinder widespread adoption. | en_US |
