Kenya Native, John Magiro Wangare
In the heart of Mathioya, Muranga, a visionary named John Magiro Wangari has become a beacon of hope for a community living in the shadows of energy poverty. Frustrated by the absence of electricity in his hometown, Magiro took matters into his own hands, spearheading a mini hydro-electric power plant that now lights up around 300 households in rural Kenya.
“At 21, I grew tired of trekking to the nearest town for power. I knew I had to do something,” Magiro shared.
Undeterred by his lackluster performance in physics class, Magiro, still a student at the time, ingeniously crafted a hydro-electric power system using the parts salvaged from an old bicycle. Drawing water from the local River Godo, he dedicated three years to refining his prototype until it could generate enough electricity to illuminate his mother’s home.
With a humble start, Magiro borrowed Sh6,000 (€50/$60) from his mother and sold goats and rabbits to fund his venture. His dream was to power not only his community but also a nearby school.
Magiro’s determination caught the attention of NETFUND, the National Environment Trust Fund, during their search for entries for The Green Innovation Award. This award recognizes and incubates green innovations in various fields, including Nature-based Enterprise, Water, Waste Management, and Energy.
Now supported by the Kenyan government through NETFUND, Magiro employs 10 local youths to produce electricity while actively contributing to environmental conservation.
“NETFUND has been instrumental in my journey,” Magiro expressed gratefully.
Having won first place in the NETFUND Green Innovations Award’s Individual category, Magiro joined the NETFUND Incubation Program in 2015. This program not only provided him with business training from Daystar University but also connected him with mentors and technical experts who helped refine his technology.
Through NETFUND, Magiro received crucial seed funding, enabling him to enhance his hydro-electric power plant with a generator, turbine, control system, pressure pipe, stabilizer, power line cables, transformer, d-iron, and posts.
“The NETFUND Effect has been transformative,” Magiro acknowledged. “It’s not just about powering homes; it’s about empowering communities.”
The improvements funded by NETFUND are projected to expand Magiro’s customer base to at least 266 households, one industry, and two schools by 2022. The NETFUND Incubation program has furthered its support by securing additional funding for Magiro through the East African Hub Grant from the Pollination Project.
In 2016, Magiro also participated in the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program (TEEP), seizing the opportunity to pitch his innovation to over 50 investors at the NETFUND Investors Forum in May 2016.
John Magiro’s journey exemplifies the power of innovation, determination, and community support. His mini hydro-electric power plant stands not only as a source of electricity but as a symbol of empowerment, proving that even the smallest initiatives can create significant positive change in the world. Through initiatives like NETFUND, individuals like Magiro are not only lighting up homes but also illuminating the path towards a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/9YrcruOIAPs
- https://www.brightvibes.com/full-power-meet-the-ingenious-kenyan-student-who-built-a-power-station-from-scratch/
- https://top40.businessdailyafrica.com/candidates/the-bringer-of-light/
- https://chat.openai.com/
- https://readloud.net/
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