Egerloo: The toilet invention targeting water-scarce regions
Eng. Nancy Matheri from Egerton University who has invented a waterless loo.
Nakuru-based engineer Nancy Matheri has unveiled an innovative waterless toilet designed to address the pressing challenges of water scarcity and poor sanitation.
With a background in water and environmental engineering, Nancy explained that the country continues to face a dual problem: limited water supply and unsafe waste management.
On average, flushing a toilet consumes between seven and nine litres of water. For a family of five, this translates to more than 100 litres a day, an amount many households in water-scarce regions cannot afford.
She highlights that Nakuru depends on groundwater and despite piped connections by utilities such as Nawassco and Naruwassco, water rationing is still common.
In Nakuru, heavy rains frequently flood pit latrines, causing untreated waste and chemicals to seep into aquifers.
“We end up pulling up contaminated water for drinking, cooking, and irrigation,” Nancy explains, adding that the risks inspired her to create a safer, water-efficient solution.
Her new design separates urine and fecal matter into two compartments. Urine, which is generally free of bacteria, can be processed to recover nitrogen, while fecal matter can be stored and later used in biodigesters to generate biogas.
She says the toilet functions without flushing water by using heat sensors that automatically open a chute to deposit waste into airtight storage.
“It only opens when it senses material being dropped, ensuring that smell and vermin are completely shut out,” she says.
Beyond sanitation, the toilet also integrates a sanitary pad dispenser, enabling women and schoolgirls to access pads affordably and discreetly. In commercial use, a single pad will cost Sh 20, while in schools the dispenser will operate for free.
The smart toilet is solar-powered and connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), allowing real-time monitoring of usage, fullness levels, and pad dispensing.
According to Nancy, the Egerloo makes it suitable for schools, bus stops, and other public spaces where sanitation urgently needs to be improved.
Having worked on the project for a year, she hopes to roll out the first units before the end of 2025.
“Our goal is to provide safe, sustainable sanitation while conserving water,” she concludes