Kisumu Researchers Develop Waste-to-Fertilizer Initiative Using Human Excreta

Researchers are piloting a method to convert human excreta collected from informal settlements in Kisumu into a usable agricultural fertilizer product called KIYA Gold. This process aims to improve soil quality while simultaneously reducing pollution that could enter Lake Victoria. The initiative involves partnerships with farmer networks in several counties, including one with approximately 1,000 farmers.

The project addresses challenges such as depleted soils and high fertilizer prices that can reduce agricultural yields in the region. By formalizing this approach, the goal is to establish a local cycle where nutrients from human waste can return to farmland, linking sanitation with food production.

A food waste management initiative has been launched in Kisumu, Kenya, highlighting challenges across the African continent regarding food spoilage and infrastructure.