UN 
In a remarkable demonstration of youth-led innovation addressing environmental challenges, two 17-year-old students from Kiambu County, Kenya, have developed a new vehicle exhaust filtration system made from agricultural waste. Fredrick Njoroge Kariuki and Miron Onsarigo, pupils at M-PESA Foundation Academy, were recently awarded the Africa region Earth Prize for their invention named HewaSafi — Swahili for “clean air.”
HewaSafi utilizes locally sourced maize and coconut waste to create an affordable and effective filtration system that can be attached to vehicle exhaust pipes, significantly reducing harmful air pollutants. This innovation aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by targeting air pollution—a major contributor to respiratory illnesses and climate change.
The Earth Prize, a prestigious environmental award, recognized their project for its potential to scale in regions where vehicular emissions are a leading source of air pollution. Kenya, like many developing countries, faces increasing urban air quality challenges due to rapid motorization and limited access to costly emission control technologies. HewaSafi offers a low-cost, sustainable alternative that leverages circular economy principles by repurposing farm waste that would otherwise decompose or be burned.
Experts commend the ingenuity and practical impact of this youth-led solution. Dr. Jane Mwangi, an environmental scientist specializing in air quality in East Africa, noted, “Innovations such as HewaSafi represent the kind of grassroots, context-specific technology needed to address air pollution in Africa. Empowering young innovators is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals related to health and the environment.”
Beyond the award, the young inventors are engaging with local communities and policymakers to pilot their technology and explore avenues for commercialization and wider adoption. Their work exemplifies how education and innovation can drive sustainable development, empower youth, and contribute to cleaner air and healthier urban environments across the continent.
