A self-taught innovator from Bukalama village in Busia County has captured national attention after unveiling an unconventional electricity generation system powered by a pit latrine.
Edwin, who has no formal engineering training, says curiosity and experimentation led him to develop a homemade transformer capable of supplying electricity to multiple households, using locally available materials and basic scientific principles.
His invention has sparked widespread debate online, with many Kenyans praising his creativity.
How the System Works
According to Edwin, his power-generation setup relies on a combination of oil and acid, with an earth wire grounded directly into a pit latrine.
He explains that the chemical interaction creates an electrical charge, which he then channels through a transformer he personally designed and assembled.
“Niliona acid ni kitu ukiweka chini inaweza kukausha nyasi ama inaweza kuaffect, nikaona hio acid naweza kuitoa negative. Alafu oil ni black, nikazicombine, alafu kwa choo nikatoa hertz ikakuja ka positive,” Edwin explains.
The acid is stored in plastic bottles filled with water, while the entire system is connected through an adapter that regulates supply to households.
Built Entirely From Local Resources
One of the most striking aspects of Edwin’s project is that it was built entirely from locally sourced materials. Lacking funds to purchase standard electrical cables, he improvised by using barbed wire in place of aluminum conductors to transmit power across the village.
Despite the limitations, the system is currently supplying electricity to between six and ten households, including three homesteads outside his own compound.
Able to Power 100 Homes
Edwin says his homemade transformer has the potential to power up to 100 households once fully optimized.
“Adapter inaeza supply almost 100 houses, but so far nimeconnect boma chache. Hii ni mission yangu,” he says.
He hopes to attract technical assistance and funding to improve safety standards, replace improvised wiring, and expand the system responsibly.
For now, his pit-latrine-powered electricity system stands as a bold example of ingenuity born out of necessity.
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