Africa innovates Magazine -AI4DEV - Flipbook - Page 12
AFRICA INNOVATES
S T E P H E N WA M U KOT A ( Ke n y a )
BOY WONDER
J AWA M FO O T - O P E R AT E D H A N DWA S H I N G M A C H I N E
Semi-automatic invention, created by child prodigy – 9-year-old
schoolboy Stephen Wamukota in rural Western Kenya
Stephen named this product after his dad, James
Wamukota. According to James, the idea of devising the
foot-operated handwashing machine came from the
realization that users could still get infected while opening
and closing taps after washing their hands. Stephen’s
idea of the design was inspired by a TV series on National
Geographic TV series called Megafactories which features
on Zuku. The series highlights the assembly of various
products and iconic designs. James also feels that the
recently launched Competency Based Curriculum in lower
Primary Schools played a part in the invention. “I think
it also contributed because they (teachers) normally
teach how to build structures through carpentry and give
children an opportunity to build it for themselves.” James,
who deals in electronic repairs offered his support to see
Stephen’s idea come to fruition. Clearly, an apple does
not fall far from the tree!
Noting that the majority of the residents in his village
are poor and cannot afford to buy the 10-litre jerricans for
handwashing, the invention has attracted the attention
of residents who come to their homestead to wash their
hands. Resource constraints mean that Stephen cannot
scale his $30 innovation. “Most people want the boy to
make more machines for them, but he has no financial
resources to buy timber for additional structures,” says
James. Additionally, making the handwashing machine
from timber presents a durability challenge. “With the
right support, financially or in the form of raw materials,
we can make more metallic structures and distribute them
to health centres and public places like markets.” This will
ensure that the handwashing machines last longer.
Stephen would like to be a priest in future. According
to his dad, “he wants to pray for people during future
pandemics so that they do not perish as much as they
have during COVID-19.” His father respects his wishes: “I
cannot force him to be an engineer if he is not willing to
be an engineer,” he says, but nonetheless hopes that his
son finishes schools and accomplishes his dreams.
F R O M A N E A R LY A G E
At the tender age of 5, Stephen could dismantle and
assemble parts of electronic appliances. “I could come
home from work and ask who was responsible and they
all looked at Stephen,” recalls James. “ Looking back, I
realize Stephen’s ingenuity began earlier because he has
been doing many unique things for a boy of his age.”
James revealed that this inventiveness is not only limited
to their home but also in school. “Sometimes he can make
a table or a chair at home then take them to school for
the teachers to comment,” he says.
Resource constraints mean that Stephen cannot scale his $30 innovation.
“Most people want the boy to make more machines for them, but he
has no financial resources to buy timber for additional structures.”
12 SHOWCASING AFRICAN INNOVATION
