Egerton university duo win Ksh1.65M for innovation that uses hyacinth instead of plastic

Two Egerton University students have innovated an award-winning project that converts water hyacinth into a biodegradable material that is an alternative to single-use plastic products.

Joseph Nguthiru and Charles Rugendo are the brains behind the innovation dubbed ‘Hyapak’, a game-changer in the environment sector.

The innovation comes at a time when the country and the world at large are focused on campaigning toward positive climatic change.

“Through Hyapak, we cannot wait to see the impact that we will have in our environment and to the generations to come,” said Joseph Nguthiru, a Civil and Environmental Engineering student.

The duo participated in the third edition of the Total Energies Start-Upper of the Year challenge where they bagged the first position and pocketed Sh1.65 million.

They beat fellow competitors in the 1,012 entries made.

During the award ceremony, ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru asked youth to utilise technology to innovate since that is the field with numerous opportunities.

“Kenya is renowned as the Silicon of the Savanna. With more innovations, we will create more opportunities for Kenya and Africa.”

The two innovators will also receive coaching towards commercialising their project and to make sure it stands to benefit them.

This award comes months after they won the East Africa Youth for Climate Action Award by IGAD.