How One School Turns Waste into Energy and Water Savings
By Chemtai Kirui | phillykirui@gmail.com
Kabatini, Nakuru — Rurii Primary School guard, Joseph Mburu Kung’u, carefully steps onto what resembles a giant bouncy castle, but beneath the black, springy cover, lies a pool where human waste is collected and processed, gradually breaking down to produce biogas— an energy source that powers the school’s cooking facilities.
Kung’u steps softly on the slightly buoyant pool to maintain the flow and prevent gas buildup, ensuring the waste continues to decompose smoothly.
The gases produced by decomposing waste beneath the pool provide sustainable, eco-friendly energy for the school.
But Mwangi wasn’t always this enthusiastic about using a biogas digester that utilizes human waste, initially, the idea seemed unfamiliar and a bit unsettling to him.
“When I first heard that the school was going to introduce this system, I was surprised. I had never imagined that human waste could be collected and used in this way,” said Mwangi, who was still working at the school when the waste management system was first introduced.
“I was hesitant, as I didn’t understand how it worked,” he added.
Mwangi said that after learning more about the biodigester system and seeing how it operates, with minimal smoke—he has come to appreciate the process and now fully embraces it.
In many places, waste disposal is costly and harmful to the environment, however, at this particular school, waste is recycled into biogas, a clean fuel that reduces reliance on firewood.
The Need for a Cleaner Alternative
Before the system’s introduction, pit latrines posed a significant risk of waste infiltration into the Kabatini aquifer wellfield, as the school sits atop this vital groundwater source that serves about 90% of Nakuru town and its environs, according to Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Co. Ltd (NAWASSCO).
Professor Japheth Onyando, a Soil and Water Engineering expert at Egerton University, spoke of the seriousness of the issue.
He said that waste from pit latrines could seep into the aquifer, contaminating water sources with harmful pathogens.
“Improper disposal of waste in pit latrines leads to contamination that makes water unsafe for drinking,” Professor Onyando said.
This contaminated water can cause diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.
Professor Onyando’s concerns are echoed by recent studies showcasing the widespread issue of groundwater contamination due to poor pit latrine management.
A 2019 study published in BMC Public Health revealed that in Nakuru’s informal settlements, improper pit latrine management significantly increased public health risks.
The research found that waste buildup, poor hygiene, and mixing other waste types with human waste were major contributors to contamination.
This issue is not limited to Nakuru.
A similar study published in the Journal of Water Resource and Protection in 2019, focused on groundwater contamination in Kisumu. It found high levels of coliform bacteria—a group of bacteria often used as an indicator of water contamination—in shallow wells.
These wells did not meet World Health Organization (WHO) or Kenyan safety standards for drinking water.
The contamination was attributed to the proximity of pit latrines to water sources.
This issue was a particular concern for Rurii Primary School.
Recognizing the critical need to protect this vital resource, WWF-Kenya led a collaboration under the Catchment-to-Tap (C2T) project to address the issue.
This partnership enabled the school to install a biogas system, providing clean energy while safeguarding the aquifer from contamination.
The biogas system processes waste from the school’s 47 toilets, including 21 boys’ toilets, 21 girls’ toilets, and 5 teachers’ toilets. The waste is collected through a piping system and directed into the biogas digester.
The system is further supplemented by cow manure from nearby homesteads, ensuring a steady supply of biogas and minimal disruptions to the school’s daily cooking needs.
What is C2T?
The Catchment-to-Tap (C2T) project is a five-year initiative funded by the Dutch Embassy and implemented by WWF-Kenya.
The project focuses on promoting sustainable sanitation and hygiene practices, protecting catchment areas, and improving community access to clean water.
Dr. William Ojwang, Freshwater Focal Lead at WWF-Kenya, said that the project, launched in November 2023 and funded by the Dutch Embassy, is being implemented through partnerships with the Water Resources Authority (WRA), NAWASSCO, Egerton University, the Kenya Water and Sanitation Civil Society Network (KEWASNET), and other stakeholders.
Dr. Ojwang said that by transitioning from pit latrines to biogas systems, “schools like Rurii Primary not only protect critical aquifers but also reduce reliance on firewood, balancing community needs with environmental conservation.”
He added that this approach should be adopted in other water-scarce areas across Kenya.
“If we fail to adopt a value chain approach that includes upstream, downstream, and governance aspects, we risk losing one of the country’s most vital resources—water—undermining our ability to achieve sustainable development,” Dr. Ojwang said.
Is Kenya at risk of water shortage?
“Kenya is officially considered a water-scarce country because the amount of water available for each person annually is only about half of what is needed for a country to meet global standards,” said Professor Onyando, citing the Falkenmark Index which sets the global benchmark at 1,000 cubic meters per person per year.
“By this measure, the country’s current availability of less than 500 cubic meters of water per capita is deeply concerning,” Professor Onyando added.
World Bank Group data further showcases the urgency of the issue, revealing that 20 million people in Kenya lack access to basic drinking water, while 33 million lack basic hygiene services.
This stark reality underscores the critical need for sustainable water resource management in a country where 80% of the land is arid or semi-arid (ASAL).
Malesi Shivanji, CEO of KEWASNET, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, calling for collective action in water conservation.
Shivanji said that many people underestimate the complexities involved in ensuring water is both safe and accessible.
“Water doesn’t simply come from the tap,” he said, adding that it requires a coordinated effort to increase its availability. “This is a shared responsibility.”
Shivanji also spoke on the impact of urbanization, noting that increased development leads to paved surfaces that prevent water from naturally infiltrating the ground, which in turn hampers groundwater recharge.
“As cities grow, we are seeing urbanization encroach on critical water recharge areas, exacerbating the problem,” he said.
He called for a holistic approach to water management—one that balances the environmental impact of urban growth while preserving vital water resources for the entire population.
Road Ahead
Water governance in Kenya faces significant challenges, including gaps in legal frameworks, such as unclear guidelines on borehole drilling distances, the demarcation of riparian land boundaries, and waste disposal practices—all of which directly affect water availability and quality.
An official from the the Water Resource Authority (WRA), who asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak to the media, said that despite these challenges, the government is actively working to address these issues.
“We are in the process of drafting new regulations to better manage and protect water resources which will strengthen the system and improve access to clean water,” the official said, adding that, for these regulatory reforms to be successful, it is essential for communities to cooperate with water management initiatives.
“Only through collective effort can we create sustainable solutions to Kenya’s water crisis.”
At Rurii Primary School, a sustainable model has already been developed.
Previously, the school relied on approximately one or two lorry-loads of firewood per term for cooking; today, it almost entirely depends on biogas.
In addition, rainwater harvesting tanks are strategically placed across the school grounds to ensure efficient collection and storage, while handwashing stations equipped with running tap water further demonstrate the principles of the Catchment-to-Tap (C2T) project in action.
“This setup is not just practical; it exemplifies how sanitation, waste management, and energy production can work together to protect vital water resources,” said Dr. Ojwang.
He added that the system reduces pollution, produces clean energy, and helps lessen deforestation, all while providing an educational opportunity for students to learn about circular economy concepts.
The stakeholders implementing Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) are now encouraging other institutions and the community to adopt similar practices.
“Instead of letting rainwater flow off concrete surfaces and go to waste, households can harvest and store it for use during the dry season,” said Professor Onyando.
The team also said that policies to encourage sustainable water conservation practices, such as gazettement (officially designating key water sources as protected areas), should be prioritized to safeguard these resources and ensure their long-term availability.
Kung’u, the school watchman responsible for overseeing the operation and security of the biodigester, has witnessed firsthand how biogas technology can transform waste management.
“Hizi shimo tumechimba sana,” he said, referring to the community’s heavy reliance on pit latrines. (Translation: “We’ve dug so many holes.”)
“I love this system. The way they process all the waste, and now we can cook without smoke … I’ve learned to appreciate this technology,” Mwangi said.
