In an inspiring display of resourcefulness and innovation, an 18-year-old youth in Busia County, Kenya has successfully generated electricity from human waste to power homes in his village a breakthrough that is drawing widespread attention online and offering a fresh perspective on grassroots energy solutions.

The young innovator, Edwin Wandera, hails from Matayos in Busia and came up with this idea out of necessity, driven by persistent energy challenges and limited access to grid electricity. With no formal engineering training or significant funding, Edwin designed and assembled a working electricity system using simple materials and human waste as a source of energy a testament to his ingenuity under pressure.

According to reports, Edwin’s setup currently powers at least three to six households, enabling residents to enjoy basic lighting, phone charging, and small electrical appliances. He also built a locally made transformer, which he says could power up to 100 homes once the system is properly developed and supported.

His innovation involves a mixture of readily available components including barbed wire used in place of standard conductors to construct an improvised electrical system grounded using a wire connected to a latrine. Although the system is far from conventional and needs refinement for safety and efficiency, the concept highlights the remarkable problem-solving abilities of young African innovators operating outside formal institutional support.

Confirmed and Credible Reporting

Local Kenyan media outlets such as TUKO.co.ke have reported on Edwin’s story, confirming that he has lit up multiple homes and that the community recognizes the potential of his approach. Residents have described the project as promising and have urged authorities and energy stakeholders to support his development.

Although experts caution that the current system is not yet safe or compliant with engineering standards, Edwin’s efforts have generated public appreciation, sparking discussions about energy access challenges and the importance of supporting homegrown solutions to widespread development issues.

A Symbol of Untapped Talent and Potential

Edwin’s work has become part of a broader conversation about innovation in Kenya’s energy sector particularly in rural areas where grid access is limited or non-existent. This incident resonates with contemporary efforts to expand energy coverage, such as government electrification projects in neighbouring Busia villages under the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), which recently connected four villages to the national grid for the first time.

The contrast between large infrastructure projects and grassroots ingenuity underscores both the challenges and opportunities facing Kenya’s energy landscape. While official programmes aim to expand reliable electricity access, local innovators like Edwin demonstrate that practical solutions can sometimes emerge from the very communities most affected by energy poverty.