Dryland Eco-Region Research Programme, P.O. Box 892-90200 Kitui, Kenya

 A survey was conducted among 95 randomly selected respondents drawn from 12 Charcoal Producer Associations in three sub counties of Kitui County namely: Kitui East, Mwingi and Kitui South using a pre-tested semi structured questionnaire. Past studies have indicated that there is inadequate information on the social economic contribution to the livelihood of charcoal producers thus the need to undertake this study. The objectives of this study were to: assess the socio-economic characteristics of the charcoal producers; document the preferred charcoal species; assess the main technologies used in charcoal production and analyze the socio-economic contribution to the livelihood of local charcoal producers. The findings show that charcoal was mainly produced using the traditional earth kiln with the producers earning an average monthly income of KSh 11,200 (USD 100) at the farm gate or KSh. 51,000 (USD 460) through charcoal vending at the local market. The main charcoal producing species were Acacia tortilis, Terminalia prunoides, Cassia abbreviata, Balanitesaegyptica, Acacia mellifera, Acacia nilotica, Terminalia brownii and Acacia gerradii in the order of priority. The findings of this study show that the process of devolution had slowed down legislative reforms on charcoal production, trade and transportation, operationalization of the Charcoal Production Association and sensitization of the stakeholders. Therefore, there is need for training and awareness creation on sustainable charcoal production techniques, make it easy to access credit, undertake policy reforms at the County level, worked with the local communities in diversifying their sources of income.