Factors affecting the number of household energy sources in Kenya: generalized linear model

Abstract

This paper applies Generalized Linear Approach to model the factors affecting number of household energy sources for lighting and cooking in both peri urban and rural Kenyan households. The model uses data from 560 households to predict the number of household energy sources for lighting and cooking. Generalized linear model (GLM) on the factors affecting household’s number of used energy sources showed income as the principal determinant factor for both cooking and lighting. In addition, distance to the nearest firewood supplying shop and household sizes are the main influencing factors for cooking among rural dwellers while distance to the nearest LPG supplying shop and distance to the nearest charcoal supplying shops were also found to be the determinants among the peri urban dwellers. The results for lighting on the other hand indicate that household’s number of energy sources for lighting is sensitive to solar use, age and gender of the household head. Households' number of energy sources is mainly controlled by income. Policy makers require enough information on modeling of household energy use to come up with strategies for sustainable development.