By Violet Auma || violetmedia8@gmail.com
In Kenya’s Kakamega County, two students from Kakamega High School, Benson Matundura and Peter Wakal, found themselves face to face with an environmental disaster during a geography trip to Lake Victoria.
The lake, one of Africa’s largest and most famous, appeared tranquil at first, with its vast expanse of water framed by lush greenery.
But as their boat sailed through the calm waters, the students were struck by an unsettling sight; thick, green mats of water hyacinth covering large portions of the lake’s surface.
“This wasn’t what we expected to see,” Matundura recalled. “Instead of the clear, unpolluted waters we imagined, we saw vast stretches of the lake covered with water hyacinth, a plant that was choking the life out of the lake.”
The invasive water hyacinth had transformed the lake into a battleground for survival. Its rapid growth had created a suffocating blanket, blocking sunlight and oxygen from reaching underwater plants and marine life.
Fishermen struggled to navigate the waterways, and the once-thriving ecosystem was in serious danger. The lake, which provides livelihoods to thousands, was slowly being destroyed by the weed.
“We saw how the fish were dying, how it was impossible to navigate by boat, and how people’s livelihoods were at risk. It was heartbreaking to witness,” Wakal said.
Rather than feeling helpless, the two students were motivated to act. “We wanted to find a way to help,” said Matundura. “After returning to school, we began researching ways to tackle the invasive plant.”
Their breakthrough came when they discovered that water hyacinth contains a high level of cellulose, which can be converted into ethanol through enzymatic conversion, fermentation, and distillation.
“We realized that water hyacinth, despite being a nuisance, has potential as a renewable energy source,” Wakal explained. “We could extract glucose from it, ferment it, and turn it into ethanol, a clean, sustainable biofuel.”
They named their project ‘Cellulosic Ethanol from Water Hyacinth’ and began working in their school laboratory.
The process involved crushing the water hyacinth, using enzymes to extract glucose, fermenting the glucose, and producing ethanol. The leftover biomass could even be used for biogas production, adding to the environmental benefits.
“We started by crushing the plant and using enzymes to break it down,” Matundura said. “It was a step-by-step process, but we were determined to make it work.”
Their mentor, Mr. Harrison Simaka, the patron of the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair at Kakamega High School, saw great promise in their work.
“Many of the efforts to control water hyacinth have failed, and here these students are, offering an innovative solution,” he said. “This project has the potential to not only help with the water hyacinth problem but also provide a renewable source of energy.”
Despite challenges, including the high cost of specialized enzymes needed for ethanol extraction, Matundura and Wakal persevered.
“The enzymes are expensive, one gram costs KSh 5,000,” Simaka explained. “It’s a major challenge when you don’t have the resources to scale the process.”
Their hard work paid off when they presented their project at the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair.
They won first place at the sub-county competition at Shieywe Secondary School and again at the county competition in Lubinu.
However, their journey ended at the regional competition in Kimilili, where they did not advance to the national level due to a lack of crucial materials.
“We were disappointed, but we learned a lot,” said Wakal. “We now know what we need to improve, and we’re determined to refine our project for the Young Scientists Kenya competition later this year.”
The broader implications of their work extend beyond biofuels. By using water hyacinth instead of food crops, the students ensured their solution didn’t compete with the food supply, making it more sustainable.
Ethanol, a cleaner-burning fuel, also has the potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, addressing climate change.
The damage caused by water hyacinth on Lake Victoria has been devastating.
Fish populations have dropped, boat transport has become difficult, and water quality has suffered. Local communities, especially fishermen, have been hit hard, with some struggling to make a living.
The spread of the plant has also contributed to rising cases of malaria and schistosomiasis, as the dense mats create breeding grounds for mosquitoes and snails.
“The situation is dire,” Wakal said. “The lake is under threat, and we need more innovative solutions like ours to address this issue. We believe that by continuing our research, we can make a real difference.”
The two students are working hard to improve their project and get ready for future competitions, and they are still very hopeful.
They believe that if they can scale up the process of producing ethanol from water hyacinth, it could not only help clean up the lake but also provide a renewable energy source for local communities.
“Our project is just the beginning,” said Wakal. “We hope it inspires others to look at environmental problems differently and think of innovative ways to solve them. There is potential in every challenge; you just have to find it.”
The journey of Benson Matundura and Peter Wakal highlights the power of curiosity, determination, and innovation.
What began as a simple geography trip has turned into an inspiring mission to save Lake Victoria from the destructive effects of water hyacinth.
By transforming a major environmental problem into a solution, these students demonstrate that the answers to our biggest challenges can come from the most unexpected places and from those brave enough to dream big.
