Dominic Wanjihia is the CEO of Flexi Biogas systems, which is an off-grid rural domestic thermal energy solution & tool for the millions of rural homesteads seeking alternative sources for cooking fuel.

This system reduces the need to cut down trees for fuel and also improves the health and well-being of women and children. Over 95% of homesteads in the developing world rely on wood-fuel for their domestic energy. Forests are being cut down at a rate of 40% per year. About three out of four families in Kenya depend on wood or charcoal to cook their daily meals, and the rate is even higher in rural areas. Using solid fuels like these for cooking increases indoor pollution. The World Health Organization estimates that about 14,300 Kenyans die annually from conditions linked to indoor air pollution – most of which is caused by cooking and heating sources.

In Africa, it is estimated that from the age of 5 to the end of their working lives, rural women spend an average of 3-4 hours in search of and collecting firewood. This translates to 1/3 of the daylight hours, 1/3 doing domestic chores, and 1/3 in agricultural activities. Therefore firewood collection consumes half of the time available for women to be productive in income-generating activities. By introducing domestic Flexi biogas systems, it eliminates firewood collection and women gain 3 – 4 more hours a day to be more productive.