Kisumu Youth Organization Innovates Sustainable Eco-Toilet Solution

KISUMU – A groundbreaking eco-toilet, designed to offer a sustainable sanitation solution for informal settlements, has been developed by a local youth organization, marking a significant step forward in environmental and public health innovation.

According to Kenya News Agency, Director and Operation Manager at Sunwise Technologies, the eco-toilet incorporates a unique blend of materials and biological processes to create a more sustainable and eco-friendly sanitation option. The toilet’s structure utilizes a mixture of crushed glass bottles and sand for the walls, aiming to reduce reliance on diminishing natural resources like sand.

Okumu elaborated on the technology to KNA, detailing how the system employs Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae in a novel waste treatment process. The larvae are introduced into a tray within the toilet to break down and sterilize human waste, transforming it into a harmless byproduct over their 14-day life cycle before they are harvested to prevent maturation into flies. This cycle is meticulously managed to ensure continuous waste processing and effective sanitation.

Sunwise Technologies, inspired by the dual challenges of youth unemployment and inadequate sanitation facilities, embarked on this initiative to harness simple, affordable technologies for better ecological sanitation outcomes. Okumu, who is an alumnus of Meru University with advanced degrees in public health and sanitation, highlighted the importance of this innovation in addressing critical community needs.

The organization’s initiative extends beyond waste management to include the production of valuable byproducts. The processed waste yields a soil conditioner and biomass from the larvae, which can serve as a nutrient-rich animal feed supplement, illustrating a holistic approach to resource recovery and environmental sustainability.

Hosted at the Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (KIWASCO) Plant in Kasagam-Kisumu East, the eco-toilet prototype has demonstrated its efficacy and user-friendly attributes, including an absence of unpleasant odors typically associated with sanitation facilities, thanks to the odor-suppressing properties of the BSF larvae.

This eco-toilet represents a promising advancement in sustainable technology, offering potential for broader adoption in similar settings where conventional sanitation infrastructure is lacking or unsustainable, thereby contributing to improved public health and environmental stewardship.