Kenya: Renewable Energy utilized as a source of hygiene

By Rosemary Wanjiru Umande Trust, a local Non-governmental Organization (NGO), is engineering a revolution in green energy generation and sanitation in, Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum. The innovative environmental technology has introduced cheap energy for Kibera residents. It uses human waste to produce biogas which is cheaper and safer than charcoal. Umande Trust has set up communal toilets to replace latrines. It has improved neighborhood sanitation and public health .Since they couldn’t afford sewage collection fees. The human waste from the new flushing toilets is turned into biogas. Then it is fed directly to a holding tank and bio-digester. Where bacteria converts it into acid. Three weeks later, methane gas collects above the surface of the waste. It is pumped to communal kitchens. And sold to the residents as fuel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxqNOCJ5chs “There are currently 72 bio-systems in Kenya and we intend to erect another 20 over the next two years,” said, Josiah Omotto, Director of Umande Trust. Judy Vagubo a resident at Kibera confirms that charcoal is expensive. And unavailable when it rains. Contrary to biogas which is cheap and readily available. The Program Coordinator of Umande Trust, Aidhah Binale Ibrahim, concludes that a noticeable impact on public health has been felt since there is a reduction in contracting some water-borne diseases.]]>