Explore Kenya inclusive was registered as a CBO in the year 2004 and as a NGO in the year 2007. Explore has been on the fore front in building the capacity of CBOs and FBO’s in Nairobi and its environs through training and local resource mobilisation. Majority of target group served by explore have been using wood fuel which has led to de a forestation and contributed greatly to climate change. It’s through this challenge that the organisation came up with eco friendly jiko “Mabeste” which has so far been tested and proved as a breakthrough in conservation as well as employment creation for over 5,000 households indirectly. The jiko was realised through vigorous research and design enhancement in the last two years through a lot of input from community participation. The stove has greatly reduced fuel consumption by 80%. By utilising locally available materials to manufacture the stove cost has been reduced by 75% thus making it affordable for the poor communities. This has also created avenues of manufacturing fuel from waste residues which has also created employment for youths. In order to create sustainability explore Kenya has been training and encouraging the distribution of the jiko through local CBOs and business groups. Out of the sales made the CBOs and SBE will be invited to submit a small business proposal which will be funded using 20% of profits realised. The project will also have a component of establishing tree nurseries which will be sold to community members for a small fee to realise some income for the CBOS and SBE. The project will aim and enhancing the community contribution to environmental conservation and at the same time creates employment thus an improved household livelihoods

Kenya is currently facing famine crises due to lack of rain. This has been greatly contributed by destruction of the forest cover in order to produce charcoal and firewood for fuel. The country forest cover has been reduced to 2% against the recommended 10% of forestry cover. Livelihoods have been disrupted and endangered since 70 % of Kenya depends on farming and livestock production that wholly depend on rain. The effect is felt even more in erratic electricity production and water rationing which has led to redundancy and business making loses. With the current situation Kenya will be hard pressed to realize the MDG. Ruiru being a semi arid area with little tree cover has not been spared De a forestation in order to provide firewood for households. It’s through this challenge that Explore Kenya came up with an innovative way of reducing the high dependency of wood fuel by communities for cooking and also reduction in carbon emission. Through research the Mabeste jiko was realized and this has reduced household consumption of petroleum and wood fuel by 80%. The household per capita in Kenya in is estimated to be at $ 1 per day. With fuel to prepare three meals standing and $ 1.25 dollars per day many families have had to do with one meal per day. Mabeste has been able to reduce the cost of cooking to $0.21 per day. This has been realized through research for the last two years. The stove is also user friendly for it uses firewood (both dry and with high moisture) as well as charcoal with less smoke and tremendous results. Mabeste is Portable easily assembled and repairable.With proper care the stove will be able to last for a minimum of three years without repair. In order to reach a wide distribution Explore Kenya will empower local CBOS and SBE to distribute the jiko in their area of operation in Ruiru. This will greatly increase profits, outreach and sustainability of the project. CBOS and SBE will benefit from trainings on business management, project management and environmental conservation. Explore will be able to share profits with the CBOS and SBE which the group will be encouraged to utilise through outlined business plans.

We have already cconducted reserach and visibility of the project. Currently looking for funds to produce the stove and market it to rural communities.

Fundraising for initial capital needed to scale up the initiative $100,000. Linkage with carbon market in the developed world to sell carbons. Moral support