Meet 17-Year-Old Girl Who Innovated Biogas Tech to Aid Ruto Lower Cost of Living

If you had to innovate anything what would you invent? Would it change lives? Would the world be a better place?

Renewable energy sources generate over 80 per cent of Kenya’s electricity today. President Ruto has repeatedly reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Goals and transitioning to 100 per cent clean energy by 2030.

From solar power energy to electric vehicles aimed at reducing pollution and biogas for cooking, the President is also keen on increasing employment opportunities in rebuilding the economy.

Luciana Njeri, a 17-year-old Form 4 student at State House Girls, innovated a Biogas project to aid the government in achieving its goals, and Ruto secure his legacy.

Her biogas project, she told Kenyans.co.ke, on April 30, 2023, was reinvented to aid urban residents, majorly those within Nairobi. Njeri, a school’s Science Club member, presented her project at the 56th Science and Engineering Fair.

“There exists countless biogas projects tailor-made to offer different solutions. My project targets urban residents different from the others prominent in rural areas.

“Why the urban population? They pay most of the taxes, consume more energy and dump more waste,” she explained.

What’s Unique about her biogas invention?

Njeri innovated a modernised waste container basket where one can dump their waste, and within a maximum of 7 days, have biogas. “It is simple to install. We connect the basket outside – let’s say on your kitchen balcony – then fix a horse pipe to your gas cooker. You don’t have to worry about it being ugly as it can fit anywhere outside. Whether you stay in a bungalow or 8th floor of an apartment,” she detailed.

Not all waste can be dumped into the basket as it accommodates organic material only. Organic waste is that which supports decomposition. These include foods like ugali, kales (sukuma wiki), cabbage and fruits.

“Yes, I do not advocate dumping wastes like glass, steel wool, plastics and paper bags as we target biogas and slurry.

“When any organic material decomposes, you get the biogas and the slurry. The slurry can be used as a fertiliser and it will lower the cost of living as it increases agricultural productivity,” Njeri states, adding that the local production of fertilizer will aid President’s Ruto food production agenda.

The head of state reduced fertilizer prices from Ksh6,000 to Ksh3,500 and hopes that the move would aid in reducing food prices in the country, especially Unga (maize flour), currently trading between Ksh160-230.

Solar energy

Njeri added that the project could also create solar energy but from a bigger supply of waste to power electricity in homes.

“We can do this through a bigger plant with research being conducted on its feasibility and how to leverage waste production. Look at Ruaraka, Kangemi and Ngong Markets, where organic waste is dumped.I know of such a project being looked into in Dandora (by the county and national government). But more of these in urban markets can create employment for the youth, create green energy – lower cost of living – waste management and sanitisation,” she explained.

The project will thus aid lower the cost of fuel, which accounts for nearly 50 per cent of taxes.

At her school, State House Girls, she hopes to set up a dome-shaped cylinder – with the government and investors’ aid – to produce biogas.

“We have cows which produce waste that can facilitate biogas production. This project will put me in a position to encourage the youth and teens to be innovative in schools – not after they have completed education – and grappling with employment and waiting for the government.’

Showcasing and competing with the project at the Engineering and Science Fair was quite demanding. Njeri was not among the top three in the regionals and did not proceed to the finals. However, she was cognisant of the skills and talents of her competitors, a factor which motivates her more.

“I passed the zonal but was not among the top three at the regionals. But that aided me to realise a different thought pattern – pushing for my unique biogas project to be feasible. The competition was all about exposure, and I haven’t been heartbroken, as creating an impact is more important to me.

She also appreciated her school, which she stated, has been supportive by offering her ample time to research and access other resources. She added that her classmate, Roda, and teacher, Justus Kimolo, pushed her towards success.

Key takeaways from her story

You are never too young to achieve anything.  Think of that idea that you want to actualize and work towards it. Believe in yourself.

STORY COURTESY OF: KENYANS.CO.KE