BY MARGARET MAINA (Daily Nation)
One of the biggest hurdles the business faced was overcoming the public stigma attached to faecal-based briquettes. Initial uptake was slow, as many consumers were unfamiliar with the product and uneasy about its origins
In many settlements, access to proper sewerage systems remains limited, leading to unsafe waste disposal that contaminates water sources and poses serious public health risks. Stepping into this challenge is Nawasscoal Company Limited, a sanitation enterprise tackling the problem from both ends — waste collection and conversion, by turning human waste into clean, sustainable fuel.
A subsidiary of Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company Limited (NAWASSCO), it was established from a successful EU-funded sanitation value chain project.This innovative approach was driven by the urgent need for sustainable urban sanitation solutions and the realisation that properly treated faecal sludge can become a valuable source of clean energy.
“We set out to tackle poor sanitation and the unsustainable reliance on charcoal and firewood for sustainable reliance on charcoal and firewood for energy. Open defecation, inadequate waste treatment, and deforestation were major challenges in Nakuru and across Kenya,” says John Irungu, the General Manager.
What started as a bold circular economy experiment has grown into a thriving business model proving that faecal sludge can power homes and protect forests by converting waste into clean, affordable, and eco-friendly fuel.
“When people think of human waste, they only think of disposal. We saw an opportunity to clean up communities, create income, and help Kenya transition to cleaner alternatives,” he adds.
The company’s initial funding came from a mix of donor support and public-private partnerships, which enabled the establishment of a production facility and the launch of pilot operations. The idea moved from concept to reality through research and feasibility studies conducted under the Nakuru County Sanitation Program. Small-scale pilots for sludge treatment and briquette production followed.
Encouraged by positive results and strong community engagement, Nawasscoal was formally established to commercialise the innovation. Their model begins with the safe extraction of faecal sludge from onsite sanitation systems using vacuum trucks. The waste is transported to a treatment facility where it undergoes dewatering, solar drying, and carbonisation to eliminate pathogens. The dried and carbonised sludge is then mixed with equally carbonised sawdust, milled and mixed with binders, pressed into briquettes, and dried before packaging.
“These briquettes are an affordable and reliable energy source, burning cleaner and lasting longer than traditional charcoal or firewood. They are also smokeless, therefore significantly reducing indoor air pollution,” he says.
To make the briquettes safe, odourless, and efficient, Irungu says they use thermochemical treatment and drying techniques to sanitise the sludge. Scientific protocols, including maintaining temperatures above 450°C for extended periods, ensure the elimination of pathogens. The result is an odourless, high-calorific product.
“We ensure quality, safety, and consistency in each batch of briquettes by conducting routine moisture, density, and combustion tests. We also follow strict SOPs for sludge treatment and blending ratios,” he says.
Irungu notes that their briquettes burn two to three times longer than ordinary charcoal, producing less ash and no visible smoke—features that make them ideal for both household and institutional kitchens. Beyond performance, the environmental benefits are substantial. Dubbed ‘MakaaDotcom’ by the community after a popular round-shaped local pastry, the briquettes serve a greater purpose, with each tonne diverting waste from polluting ecosystems and reducing reliance on firewood.
Dr Nelson Maara, Nakuru County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Natural Resources, says that Nawasscoal is a key player in the county’s drive towards climate-smart development.“Turning waste into fuel supports our environmental conservation goals, enhances access to safe sanitation, and delivers green jobs for our youth. This is the kind of home-grown innovation we need to build a sustainable future,” he says.
Engineered for clean combustion, ‘MakaaDotcom’ emits significantly lower levels of carbon monoxide and particulate matter compared to traditional charcoal.Recognising the demand for bulk energy solutions, the company has developed industrial-grade briquettes—larger and denser products designed specifically for boilers and institutional stoves. The main sectors targeted include schools, agro-processors, tea factories, health institutions, and hotels, industries that rely heavily on thermal energy.
One of the biggest hurdles Nawasscoal faced was overcoming the public stigma attached to faecal-based briquettes. Initial uptake was slow, as many consumers were unfamiliar with the product and uneasy about its origins. The association with human waste led to resistance and hesitation, despite the product’s safety and benefits.
“We embarked on extensive community sensitisation campaigns and product demonstrations, rebranding the briquettes to emphasise cleanliness, safety, and performance,” he says, and adds, “Health officials were also brought in to validate safety standards, helping to build public trust and shift perceptions.”
Through local demonstrations, school outreach, and partnerships with community organisations, the company raises awareness about the health and environmental benefits of clean sanitation, driving long-term acceptance of faecal-based briquettes.
“On the distribution end, we employ a hybrid model that combines local agents and direct-to-customer channels. Our in-house sales team monitors and manages inventory, enabling us to respond effectively to rising demand,” he says. The company is also promoting reforestation by producing seed balls made from indigenous seeds coated in treated faecal sludge — helping restore forests while curbing charcoal dependence. It also maintains strict health and safety standards, following WHO-aligned protocols, including PPE use, decontamination procedures, and regular training.
Irungu also credits the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre, KCIC, for its role in business development, mentorship, and funding linkages. Through a matching grant agreement, it is backing the company’s expansion, including a new production plant. “Their assistance was crucial in obtaining approvals from the Kenya Bureau of Standards and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), which strengthened our compliance and credibility,” he says.
KCIC’s acceleration program also helped refine the business model, clarify the value proposition, and optimise internal systems. “This guidance has improved our investor readiness, strengthened our innovation pipeline, and boosted our visibility as a clean energy enterprise ready for national and reqional and regional expansion,” he adds.
Nawassscoal is actively pursuing carbon credit certification and exploring ESG financing to support its expansion and subsidy programs aimed at increasing access for low-income households.
With plans to diversify its offerings to include bio-fertilisers, organic compost from sludge, and solar-intergrated dryers, it is building a comprehensive sanitation value chain. The model is also set to expand to other countries, with organizations in Tanzania expressing interest in adopting the approach.
“Our goal is to become a leading provider of clean energy and sanitation solutions in East Africa, catalysing a shifft toward circular, climate-smart economies across the region,” he says.
Eng James Gachathi, Managing Director of NAWASSCOAL, says the company’s vision goes beyond waste-to-energy. “Nawasscoal is a solution to waste that shows how innovation can tackle real community challenges while advancing climate action. We are proud to lead a model that creates jobs, restores dignity to sanitation, and builds a cleaner, more resilient future for our city.”
