Kisumu Youth Organization Innovates Sustainable Eco-Toilet SolutionNairobi Hosts Summit on Judicial Transparency and Good Governance

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.

NAIROBI—Chief Justice Martha Koome emphasized the commitment to transparency and public participation in the recruitment of judges during a Multi-Agency Good Governance Summit held at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi. The summit, organized by Public Service Governance (PSG), brought together key stakeholders from the justice system to discuss ongoing reforms aimed at achieving good governance across various agencies.

According to Kenya News Agency, who read the speech on behalf of Chief Justice Koome, the judiciary has implemented measures to ensure the recruitment process for judges is both fair and transparent, adhering to principles of good governance. The summit, themed “Roadmap to Good Governance-Come Let us Reason Together,” aims to foster accountability, responsibility, and transparency among justice system stakeholders.

Chief Justice Koome highlighted the judiciary’s efforts to adhere to Article 10 of the Kenyan Constitution, which mandates all state organs to follow the principles of good governance. She also mentioned the annual performance reviews conducted to monitor judicial officers’ performance, part of the judiciary’s blueprint to enhance access to justice for the citizenry.

PSG Chief Executive Officer Esther Waringa outlined the organization’s vision for a future marked by sustainability, progressiveness, and the realization of governance solutions for the nation. She stressed that good governance, characterized by participation, consensus orientation, transparency, responsiveness, effectiveness, efficiency, equity, inclusiveness, and adherence to the rule of law, is fundamental to achieving development, economic stability, and upholding a country’s moral standards.

Waringa called on stakeholders to build bridges of understanding and cooperation, transcending divisions to unite under the common purpose of serving the greater good. She announced plans to introduce good governance awards to recognize individuals and organizations that exemplify the principles of good governance.

Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit of the Anglican Church of Kenya echoed the sentiments on good governance, emphasizing its importance in managing resources and people to achieve harmony, progress, and development. He warned against the consequences of neglecting good governance, noting that prosperity depends on equity and fairness in governance.

The summit serves as a platform for addressing governance challenges across multi-sectoral agencies, aiming to chart a path towards better governance and envision a framework that serves the interests of the nation while laying a foundation for future generations.