A Nairobi-based climate technology startup is turning a pervasive environmental challenge into an opportunity for local communities by harvesting invasive water hyacinth from Kenyan lakes and converting it into sustainable products. Joseph Nguthiru, an engineer and founder of HyaPak, launched the initiative after a university trip where he experienced a five-hour delay caused by the weed obstructing river navigation.

Water hyacinth, which is choking waterways such as Lake Naivasha and Lake Victoria, grows rapidly and disrupts ecosystems, fisheries, and local livelihoods. Nguthiru’s startup collaborates with community members to remove the plant, generating what he terms “green jobs” for families involved in the harvesting process. To date, HyaPak has cleared approximately 20 acres of the weed from Lake Victoria alone and has created 45 employment opportunities for local harvesters.

The collected water hyacinth is then processed into biodegradable alternatives to conventional single-use plastics. These products include packaging materials used for courier deliveries and box linings, as well as tree seedling bags. The latter addresses Kenya’s ambitious environmental goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, as demand for sustainable nursery bags continues to grow.

Despite the ongoing efforts, the rapid growth rate of water hyacinth means the plant often returns within days, presenting a continuous challenge to keep the lakes navigable and healthy.

Nguthiru’s climate innovation has earned international recognition. In 2025, he was named a United Nations Young Champion of the Earth for his contributions to environmental sustainability. In addition to HyaPak, Nguthiru co-founded M-Situ, a separate initiative employing solar-powered artificial intelligence sensors designed to detect deforestation, wildfires, and illegal charcoal burning. A pilot project in Kenya’s Ngong Forest demonstrated promising results, reducing ranger response times to environmental threats from six hours to just 15 minutes.

Together, these ventures showcase an approach that combines community engagement, technology, and environmental restoration efforts to tackle some of Kenya’s pressing ecological issues.