Relevant technology, relevant innovations, relevant questioning of local issues…

In my reflections, I consider the pit latrine one of man’s biggest public health innovations of recent years.

Deep, well maintained and safe pit latrines keep faeces and urine among other alimentary, and related canals, waste relatively far from the earth surfaces and thus remove contamination of surface water sources, soils and even domestic spaces.

Pit latrines, essentially, remove the myriad risks of open defecation and generally increase public health standards and safety.

Notably, millions of people in Africa and at least in Kenya still use pit latrines especially in rural and peri-urban areas. Yet, millions of many others still inadvertently defecate in and on earth open spaces and especially in bushes because they can not afford to dig and then construct pit latrines. Without doubt, pit latrines are expensive to construct and maintain.

Even more costly are septic tanks (especially in construction and  maintenance) which are also common in rural and urban areas and which serve people who can equally afford to construct modern water closets (popular as water or flushing toilets) that are yet to be connected to public (government and county governments) sewer lines.

….. Septic tanks are  quite expensive because the faeces sludge has to be periodically removed courtesy of exhauster tanks or trucks and especially in homes that have high populations. Regular maintenance of septic tanks, traditionally constructed of stones and concrete, among other buildings materials, is also necessary to avoid dangers that can result from construction failures that come with time and usage.

In addition to the burden of toilet/sanitary waste is the challenge of having to dispose off waste water from domestic uses in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry spaces. This effluent if not correctly disposed adds to the burden of soils & water sources pollution and other  forms of ground pollution.

Evidently, faeces & urine that is flushed off into sewer lines together with waste from kitchens and bathrooms, among washing areas, is generally considered as waste water.

….. In Kenya according to sanitary sector sources, only 11 percent of waste water is treated to reduce harm and this adversely affects & poses risk to over 15 million people. Untreated water from open sewers contaminate soils, formal municipal authorities treated & wholesome water piping systems, ground water sources and the 9 general environment.

….The contamination leads to increasing incidence of water borne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery and H pyroli among many others and which mostly affect children who can drink any water from any sources without second thoughts.

… Commendable innovation:

Having taken cognizance of the waste water disposal challenges in place in Kenya, Bio Tank Africa Ltd has been pioneering innovation in waste water disposal and treatment. The company has been manufacturing bio-digester tanks that are fitted to deal with both toilets and bathrooms & kitchen waste water.

Coming in different sizes to cater for different family or use needs and affordability, the bio digester tanks are fed with bacteria enzymes that break down the toilet sludge to release reasonably cleaner effluent that is then fed into soak away pits for gradual percolation into the earth’s underground. The bio-digesters process produces nil odor and are thus quite environment-friendly.

…. While the toilet waste goes directly into the bio-digester via the ‘black pipe’, waste from bathrooms, kitchens and laundry areas etc is directed into grease traps which remove and filters fats and on to the grey pipes that then feed the soak away pits directly.

The company has also innovatively introduced bio- or environment-friendly soaps & detergents to remove the harm of chemicals that end up into the soak away pits and percolation into the soils and general environment.

…. And equally innovatively, the company has committed to equipping local technicians (Fundis) including masons, land scapers, carpenters /interior designers etc and especially plumbers with these innovative technologies and skills.

Remarkably, Bio Tank, has since 2023, been conducting Fundi Forums in locations such as Thika & Ruiru, and with with most recent forum conducted in Kitengela Town (on 28-08-2026) and attended by over 400 Fundis from different parts of the country.

The next Fundi Forum is scheduled for Dec 8th, 2026 in Nakuru Town where the company has also recently opened its 4th branch.

The company management led by its Founder and General Manager, Mr Edwin Kirugo, was upbeat with the success of the recent event hosted in partnership with among others the National Construction Authority (NCA), Kenya Revenue Authority and the REBWAK (real building workers association of kenya).

Mr Kirugo expressed much appreciation  with the enthusiasm, vigor and interest and passion shown by the Fundis all of whom were presented with participation certificates and some with the technology and fundi skills recognition awards.

… He appreciated the profound and useful knowledge and practical skills provided by all the partners and looked forward to the forthcoming Fundis Forum in Nakuru Town.  #.