Kenyan Woman Behind Unique Cooking Stove Wins Ksh150 Million

What does innovation mean? Innovation means using new technology and using new ways of thinking to add value to an existing idea or product and to make substantial changes in society.

Sound complex? Let us use a simple example; Netflix began a small business and today’s Netflix’s market value now stands at $32.9 billion. Movies have always existed but time and technology has changed how people watch movies. So, what makes Netflix unique? It has a huge selection of movies and TV shows old and new, tons of high-quality original programs, and an easy-to-navigate interface. It is also affordable.

My point? Your idea may already exist but how you package it is what makes the difference. Simply ask yourself, what makes it different and unique? How will it change society?

This has been the story of Charlot’s innovation. She created stoves that are not only affordable to the common mwananchi but they are also environment-friendly. Her hard work was finally recognized through an award ceremony presided by the British Royal Family.

Charlot Magayi, the founder of Mukuru Clean Stoves, won Ksh150 million in the Earth shot competition.

Magayi was among the five winners unveiled by Prince William on Friday, December 2, at an awards ceremony in Boston in the US.

Prince William created the annual awards to provide funding and support to entrepreneurs in a bid to save the planet.

“I believe that the Earthshot solutions you have seen this evening prove we can overcome our planet’s greatest challenges,” Prince William stated.

“By supporting and scaling them, we can change our future,” he added while addressing guests, including British former footballer David Beckham.

Magayi was among the finalists awarded Ksh150 million (£1 million prize) each at the second annual Earth shot Prize awards ceremony.

Speaking after receiving the recognition, Magayi stated that 200,000 households in Kenya have had access to her product since she launched the business in 2017.

“The Earthshot Prize is going to help us reach one million households,” she stated.

Why She Started Mukuru Clean Stoves

Magayi started Mukuru Clean Stoves in 2017 after her daughter was severely burnt by a charcoal-burning stove.

Her early life in Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum in Nairobi, where she sold charcoal, also inspired her to start the venture supporting clean energy use.

“Rather than burning dangerous solid fuels, Mukuru Clean Stoves use processed biomass made from charcoal, wood and sugarcane,” Earth shot described Mukuru Clean Stoves.

“This burns cleaner, creating 90 per cent less pollution than an open fire and 70 percent less than a traditional cookstove,” she added. The organisation was inspired by US President John F. Kennedy’s Moonshot challenge in the 1960s.

However, Magayi indicated she wanted to create an even cleaner stove that burns ethanol. She also hopes to reach one million people in different parts of the country while at the same time empowering the younger generation.

Her story teaches us that;

Getting started is usually the hard part but once you have a clear vision and fixed goals nothing is impossible. Small steps eventually lead to bigger and better ideas that may one day become revolutionary.

You may feel that your ideas or innovation aren’t necessarily powerful enough to save the world, you should focus on improving the things you can affect. Start small and work from there!

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