Imagine life without accessible toilets, or having to pay every time you need to use one. Such a reality can contribute to the spread of diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid due to poor sanitation. Toilets should, therefore, be considered a basic necessity. In April 2026, the Majipreneurs Summit made its debut in Kenya, bringing together 170 hand-picked WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and ecosystem actors at iHUB Nairobi. The event served as a powerful catalyst for innovation and collaboration in the water and sanitation sector.

Among the participants were three students from Strathmore University’s School of Computing and Engineering Sciences: Alvin Nyandeje, Andrew Nzioki and Andy Onyango Junior. Competing under the name Maji Horizon, the trio chose to tackle sanitation, an often overlooked but critical challenge. Their innovative solution not only earned them top honours but also embodied one of Strathmore University’s core values: service to society.

The Maji Horizon team collaborated with Fresh Life Company, an innovative, mission-driven organisation operating in Kenya that builds and scales safe, city-wide sanitation solutions for densely populated, non-sewered informal settlements. Their project focused on providing portable toilet containers in the informal settlements of Mukuru and Kibera. Once the containers were full, they were collected and immediately replaced with clean, empty ones, ensuring uninterrupted access to safe sanitation.

The team admitted that emerging victorious against five competing teams was no easy feat. Working with sanitation waste required strict safety precautions and involved challenges that were far from pleasant. However, giving up was never an option. Their project was implemented in parts of Mukuru and Kibera, where access to toilets remains limited and sanitation conditions are poor.

To address these challenges, Maji Horizon designed an IoT-enabled smart monitoring system to transform sanitation waste collection. Using low-cost weight sensors and LoRa (Low-Power Wide-Area) communication technology, the system tracks toilet fill levels in real time and feeds live data into dynamic route-planning engines. This enables Fresh Life to shift from fixed collection schedules to demand-driven routes, reducing unnecessary trips, lowering operational costs and preventing toilet overflows. The jury praised the solution for its technical feasibility and its strong alignment with Fresh Life’s operational needs.

Beyond securing the win, the trio said the experience reinforced the quality of education they had received at Strathmore University while equipping them with practical skills and insights they will carry into their professional careers. As they prepare to graduate as the first cohort of the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (BSEEE), they reflected on the key lessons they will take with them.

Take home from the University

Andrew: “Never be afraid to take risks. Over the years, I also learnt the importance of always having your facts right.”

Alvin: “Despite the ups and downs, I remained resilient and saw the journey through because giving up was never an option.”

Andy: “It is important to invest in meaningful friendships while at university, as this is where the social capital that shapes your future is built.”

Article written by: Jemmy M. Kamau