SEP was set up in 1980 as a joint project between the governments of Kenya and Germany, and was
implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Regional Development (MOERD).
After a period of planning, biogas activities started in 1983. SEP's role in the dissemination process
was advisory, limiting its participation to that of support during the start up period. SEP provided
coordination support, promotion, training of local craftsmen, monitoring and evaluation.
Training of local craftsmen formed the basis of the dissemination programme. In 1983, SEP undertook
the training of plant builders at a three-week course in Meru. A number of demonstration plants were
constructed by trainees under the guidance of a GTZ biogas specialist. The plants were located at
educational institutions and it was assumed that they would generate awareness and interest amongst
potential users.
This approach was not successful and most of the demonstration units broke down soon after. SEP
changed the strategy and instead began to transfer know-how to local craftsmen in the target areas
through on-the-job training provided by MOERD instructors.
SEP chose to disseminate a single model to avoid confusing the artisans and the customers. This was
the 10m3 Borda-sasse model also referred to as the Meru plant. The technology was selectively
introduced in densely populated areas targeting farmers keeping three to five cows in zero-grazing
units. The dissemination process was designed to take place on a strictly commercial basis and the
user paid the full cost of materials and service provided.
As part of this strategy, the private sector was expected to play a significant role in this process and
were indeed involved at all stages. Construction of plants was done by masons and plumbers, while
metal workshops fabricated gas holders, guide frames and associated products. Private traders were
encouraged to build, stock and market biogas appliances such as cookers and lights.
In fact Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) was given the role of designing biogas appliances and helping to
give interested traders advisory and financial assistance to build these appliances. At field level, the
dissemination process was implemented by biogas instructors attached to the MOERD's
Agroforestry/Energy centres setup in certain areas.
Promotion was low-key and SEP's strategy was to rely mainly on people already using the system as
promoters. A biogas leaflet was produced and widely distributed by the biogas instructors and extension
workers. The instructors were expected to train local craftsmen in the construction and supervise the
trainees till they were competent. These craftsmen would then go out on their own to build the plant for
interested farmers.
The strategy taken by SEP was successful. By 1987, about 150 biogas plants had been constructed in
Meru, Kiambu and Nairobi, and interest was steadily growing in other areas. It is estimated that nearly
350 have been built within the SEP framework.
The programme spread to other areas of the country such as Eldoret, Kakamega, K wale, Kilifi, Kitui
and Nyeri. Since 1993 there has been a reduction of SEP involvement in activities related to biogas
promotion, a factor which has been attributed to reduced direct financial support from GTZ. Promotion
and dissemination continues under the biogas section of MOERD.
Ministry of Energy and Regional Development (MOERD)
Since the early 1980s, MOERD has, in collaboration with SEP, been actively involved in the promotion
and dissemination of biogas technology. In fact the implementation of SEP' s activities was the
responsibility of MOERD' s biogas section. The joint activities of MOERD and SEP have resulted in the
installation of about 3 50 plants country wide. Meanwhile dissemination of biogas technology continues
under MOERD although SEP is no longer actively involved.
Ministry of Livestock Development (MOLD)