OUR STORY

About Biochar Pamoja

We believe in transforming agricultural waste into an opportunity for farmers, communities, and the planet. Founded in Kenya, we combine local innovation with global expertise to deliver clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and verified carbon removals.

Biochar Pamoja
5+
Years Experience
170+
Tonnes CO₂e Removed
1,000+
Farmers Trained
500
Cookstoves Distributed

What Drives Us

The principles that guide every kiln fired and every farmer trained.

Our Mission

To provide low-cost, scalable biochar solutions that improve soil health, reduce carbon footprints, and create economic opportunities for farming communities in Kenya and beyond.

Our Vision

A Kenya where every smallholder farm produces its own biochar, eliminates crop waste burning, and earns verified carbon credits, turning climate action into household income.

Our Approach

Community-led, science-backed, and transparency-first. We don't sell carbon credits we haven't measured. Every tonne reported is GPS-tracked and photographed.

Our Journey

From the first TLUD stove to Kenya's leading biochar programme.

1985
The First TLUD Stove

Dr. Paul S. Anderson ("Dr. TLUD") begins experimenting with Top-Lit UpDraft stoves which were designed to provide clean cooking and leave behind biochar.

1998–2010
Global TLUD Expansion

TLUDs spread to more than 30 countries. Research confirms their ability to produce clean energy and climate-positive biochar at household scale.

2011–2020
RoCC Kiln Development

Dr. Anderson designs the RoCC kiln (Retort-Optimized Cone Kiln). In 2021, first units are fabricated at Kisii University and tested in Kisii, Nyakach, and Ahero.

2021–2023
Establishing Biochar Pamoja

Founded by Gilbert Mwangi with support from Dr. Anderson. Pilot projects in Bungoma County show biochar increases maize yields by 20–30%. By 2023, more than 170 tonnes CO₂e removed.

2024
Scaling with Panel Kilns

Transition from RoCC to Panel Kilns for easier, modular, and scalable production. CharTrac Digital MRV adopted to track carbon credits with GPS, photos, and blockchain.

2025
PowerPellet TLUD Deployment

500 household TLUD cookstoves with phone charging (TEG) and biochar collection introduced in Bungoma, supported by women's groups and Rotary partners.

The Team

The people behind Biochar Pamoja's work in the field and beyond.

Gilbert Mwangi

Founder & Executive Director

Rotary Club of Bungoma Magharibi member and the driving force behind Biochar Pamoja's community biochar programmes in Western Kenya.

Dr. Paul S. Anderson

Technical Advisor, Dr. TLUD

Pioneer of TLUD cookstove and RoCC kiln technology. Founder of Woodgas International and a 40-year veteran of clean biomass energy research.

Clara Bundotich

Community Programmes Lead

Coordinates the distribution of TLUD cookstoves and farmer training across Bungoma County's women's self-help groups.

What We Stand For

Our Core Values

1
Transparency

Every tonne of carbon removed is measured, GPS-tracked, photographed, and recorded on blockchain. No guesses, no inflated numbers.

2
Community First

Farmers and women's groups are the programme, not just beneficiaries. Carbon credit revenue goes back to the people doing the work.

3
Local Innovation

We fabricate kilns in Kenya, train Kenyan welders, and adapt technology to local feedstocks, climates, and farming calendars.

4
Permanence Over Volume

Biochar persists in soil for hundreds of years. We prioritise high-quality, stable biochar over fast, shallow carbon claims.

Biochar values

Ready to Work Together?

Whether you're a farmer, researcher, NGO, or carbon buyer — there's a role for you in the Biochar Pamoja network.