At 28, Kenyan innovator Joseph Nguthiru is making significant strides in addressing the environmental challenges posed by the invasive water hyacinth plant, which has increasingly clogged waterways in Kenya and beyond. His enterprise, HyaPak, focuses on managing water hyacinth rather than attempting its complete eradication, given the plant’s rapid growth and persistent regrowth.
Growing up in Nairobi’s Eastlands area, Nguthiru was exposed to pollution from an early age but recognized that for many residents, immediate socioeconomic issues often overshadow environmental concerns. He points out that water hyacinth thrives in polluted waters resulting from chemical waste, agricultural runoff, and urban pollution. The plant’s presence often signals poor water quality, making it a visible marker of ecological degradation in affected water bodies.
Though the invasive plant can be physically removed with relative ease as it floats on the water's surface, it quickly re-establishes itself within days, making repeated removal necessary. Since its inception, HyaPak has treated about 20 acres of infested water, according to the company’s 2025 data, though the rapid regrowth complicates precise measurement of progress.
Nguthiru emphasizes that the solution lies not simply in removal but in repurposing the hyacinth into useful products, creating a model that benefits both the environment and local communities. HyaPak employs members of nearby fishing communities, many of whom live below the World Bank’s poverty threshold, to harvest the plant. This approach integrates social innovation by providing an additional income stream while contributing to environmental management.
After collection, the water hyacinth is dried at the lakeside, transported to HyaPak’s Nairobi facility, and processed into a cellulose powder. This material serves as a base for various packaging products, including biodegradable courier packages and food liners designed to extend freshness without refrigeration. Notably, the company collaborates with one of the world’s largest courier firms to supply plastic-free packaging alternatives.
The business model also aligns with Kenya’s ambitious environmental goals. In 2022, the government launched the Jaza Miti initiative, aiming to plant 15 billion trees over a decade. This target has generated a significant demand for sustainable planting materials. HyaPak produces bioplastic alternatives used as biodegradable coverings for young tree roots, supporting reforestation efforts while mitigating plastic pollution. While the company cannot meet the entire national demand, it is actively scaling production to contribute meaningfully.
Looking ahead, Nguthiru intends to expand HyaPak’s operations internationally to countries facing similar water hyacinth infestations, including El Salvador, India, South Africa, Mexico, and Nigeria. His recognition as a recipient of the United Nations Young Champion of the Earth award has helped raise HyaPak’s global profile and open new opportunities for growth.
In addition to HyaPak, Nguthiru co-founded M-SITU, an environmental technology startup that employs solar-powered artificial intelligence sensors to monitor deforestation, wildfires, and illegal charcoal production. The small, portable devices can detect threats within a kilometer radius and have reduced ranger response times dramatically in Kenya’s Ngong Forest.
What began as a single experience trapped on a boat amid invasive weeds has inspired Nguthiru to transform an environmental nuisance into a source of economic and ecological value—combining community empowerment with innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges.