Dr. Anncarol Karanja
Lecturer, Researcher and Founder - EcoHub
Concentric
Dr. Anncarol Karanja

Absence of adequate sewerage and waste management systems is a major challenge in Kenya and many developing countries.

High costs for hiring exhauster services to empty septic tanks and pit latrines compels many waste handlers to drain sewage into rivers and streams causing water pollution thus causing waterborne illnesses and water scarcity. Huge amounts of waste is generated in open air markets arising from damaged fruits and vegetables and other fresh produce including those generated in households and farms. There is need to rapidly convert organic waste into biofuels and biofertilizers to curb the rising energy and fertilizer crises in Kenya and other countries. The containers/ tanks in the market have no ability to remove fluoride in the stored water. Our containers are able to attract the fluorides to their walls ensuring the consumer gets quality water.

About the Project

Research Summary and Technology

The innovation consists of two organic microbial based products namely biodigesters and biocatalysts. The products contain natural enzymes and microbial elements with ability to rapidly eat-up components within liquid waste and solid waste, respectively. Biodigesters prevent septic-tanks and pit-latrines from filling up quickly hence no overflowing of liquid waste and no need for regular hiring of expensive exhauster tanks. Cost of exhauster services is prohibitively high causing some people to drain sewage into aquatic ecosystems. Regular application of the invented biodigesters into septic-tanks and pit-latrines keeps the amount of the waste in the facilities in check. The biodigesters are very affordable. When wastewater or sewage is not drained into aquatic ecosystems, the ecosystems remain healthy allowing aquatic organisms to thrive and support the necessary ecological and socioeconomic processes. Environmentalists, general society and managers of the septic-tanks and pit-latrines facilities also benefit from this innovation. The biocatalysts facilitate rapid conversion of solid-waste into high quality biofertilizers or biofuels. This allows value addition of the abundant, locally available organic waste. The biofertilizers are useful to smallholder farmers while the biofuels are useful for both domestic and industrial applications. The biofertilizers promote organic farming which preserves the environment and conserves biological diversity. Solid-waste handlers and the general public who enjoy living in a clean environment also benefit from this innovation. The products are eco-friendly, affordable and don't harm the user like chemical-based products.

Pitch Video
Images Dr. Anncarol Karanja's Innovation
Dr. Anncarol Karanja's Innovation

About the Researcher

Dr. Anncarol Karanja has an academic Background in Microbiology & Biotechnology from Kenyatta University. She has a PhD in Microbiology and has conducted research on biotechnological approaches for environmental conservation, agriculture and bioenergy. She has received various recognitions such as Innovation Award, Royal Academy of Engineering, Leaders in Innovation Fellowship, UK (2021), Innovation Award, Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) and Innovation Award, Ministry of Water and Sanitation (2019).She is currently a Lecturer ,Researcher and founder of Ecohub Solutions Startup Company.

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