Status of biodiesel research and development in Kenya

Abstract

Research has established that biodiesel performs well in engine and is considered to be fuel with low carbon emission. This gives it a possibility of replacing it with fuel obtained from fossil sources and whose amount is dwindling as they are not renewable. Biodiesel development in Kenya has begun to receive high levels from the government due to continued rise in the cost of fossil fuels. Various stakeholders in biodiesel industries formed the National Biodiesel Committee in January 2006 under the Ministry of Energy to have a collective voice in promoting policies such as blending mandates, tax mandates and production subsidies. This review therefore, focus on status of biodiesel research and development in Kenya. Among the areas of focus include development of biodiesel in various Kenyan institutions, impact of jatropha on Kenya’s biodiesel plans, status of biodiesel research using indigenous jatropha oil, physicochemical properties of Jatropha curcas seed oil, formulation of biodiesel policy, possibility of harnessing indigenous algae for biodiesel production and the possibility of re-using waste vegetable oil and animal fat for biodiesel. The various works reviewed revealed that the energy requirement of Kenya can be met and the looming energy crisis averted.