By Margaret Maina (Daily Nation)
Each year, vast stretches of Kenyan forest vanish under the pressure of unauthorized logging and continued reliance on traditional fuels. As climate impacts intensify, demand for clean renewable energy keeps rising. Eco-Charge Limited, established by Mary Nyambura, transforms crop residues into environmentally safe biomass briquettes.
These eco-friendly briquettes enable organizations to replace traditional fuels, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and adopt locally managed, cost-effective approaches to climate resilience. “Seeing families suffer from smoke inhalation and forests disappear drove me to take action,” she says. Experimenting with cow dung and charcoal remnants deepened her interest in green energy and revealed how a practical business could address both environmental degradation and energy scarcity. “Rising fuel costs and widespread deforestation point to the urgent need for affordable, locally produced renewable energy in Kenya.” She says they operate as a social business delivering impact through clean energy, women’s empowerment and environmental stewardship. “Our approach prioritises gender inclusion, local sourcing and sustainable practices, linking renewable energy production with job creation in rural communities, especially those historically underserved,” she explains. The company transforms agricultural waste—such as sawdust, bagasse, macadamia shells, coffee husks, and other residues— into high-quality biomass briquettes. These climate-friendly briquettes are now replacing firewood and charcoal in institutions across the region. All inputs are sourced from sawmills and factories in Kajiado County and surrounding regions. Nurturing supplier relationships and maintaining a staggered collection schedule ensures a steady supply while supporting local livelihoods.
To ensure top performance, the team rigorously checks the composition and moisture levels of all input materials. Rather than allowing agricultural residues to rot and emit methane,-a powerful greenhouse gas, these leftovers are converted into compact, clean-burning fuel blocks.“These briquettes last longer and produce far less smoke than conventional wood or charcoal. Indoor air quality improves, and carbon emissions drop substantially,” she notes.
Utilising by-products also eases the environmental impact of farming operations. The procedure starts with gathering and sun-drying materials to lower the moisture content. Once ready, the mixture passes through a briquetting press, shaping it into 90mm cylindrical logs. Finished units are then bagged in 50-kilogram sacks for delivery. Monthly output fluctuates between 100 and 200 tonnes, while institutional customers, mainly industrial clients, collectively consume more than 1,000 tonnes.
Eco-Charge also customises briquettes for clients with high energy demands. Bulk supply agreements allow organisations to reduce long-term expenses compared with frequent wood fuel purchases.
“Institutions that adopt our briquettes often cut fuel costs by 15 to 30 per cent. A school in Kajiado, for instance, lowered its monthly cooking expenses by Sh20,000,” she says. Ms Nyambura adds that beyond the savings, kitchens become cleaner, staff morale improves and the overall environmental impact decreases. So far, the company has collaborated with more than 10 institutions. She says that each ton of briquettes replacing firewood protects roughly 88 trees from being felled.
“This contributes to forest preservation, which maintains vital carbon sinks, safeguards biodiversity and prevents soil erosion. Efficient combustion also reduces particulate emissions and greenhouse gases,” she explains. Even with these achievements, the company continues to navigate challenges such as inadequate road networks, limited public awareness and strong cultural ties to traditional fuels.
“We engage communities through sensitization workshops and employment opportunities. We believe in inclusive growth, so we involve them not just as suppliers but also as partners in creating impact,” she adds. The enterprise currently employs a team of 10 and contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal 7 through initiatives that curb forest loss and advance renewable power. Eco-Charge also supports Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, targeting a 32 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Despite operational challenges, prospects are bright. Kenya’s focus on clean energy, supportive policies, and rising corporate sustainability initiatives is creating a welcoming market for innovative solutions like Eco-Charge’s.
