Most people rely on paraffin for lighting

Close to three-quarters of Kenyan households still rely on paraffin for lighting, the newly launched Labour Force Analytical Report indicates.

The majority of them, 86.1 per cent, live in rural areas. This trend explains the public outcry that has met the escalation of fuel prices in the country since early this year.

The cost of kerosene, which is popular for cooking and lighting in many low income homes, has risen to Sh80 per litre from Sh65 last year.

However, firewood is still the most predominant fuel for cooking used by 60 per cent of Kenyan households, the report says. Over 80 per cent of rural residents in the country use firewood as the main cooking fuel.

The majority of the rest, especially in urban areas (32.1 per cent), use either charcoal or paraffin.

Reliance on cooking gas in Kenyan homes has also led to a decline in the dependency on paraffin and firewood.

In terms of dwellings, the report says over half the Kenyan population lives in bungalows or houses, with 16.5 per cent of the population living in manyattas and traditional huts.

More than a tenth of the urban population lives in shanties located in informal settlements, adds the report. It also says 63.4 per cent of North Eastern Kenya residents live in manyattas and traditional huts.

Housing also makes up the largest portion of expenditure for Kenyan households. The report shows that on average most Kenyans spend Sh12,331 on housing per month and Sh2,437 on food.