Joseph Nguthiru — Kenyan Engineer Turning Water Hyacinth Into Sustainable Solutions

Joseph Nguthiru is a Kenyan climate-tech engineer and environmental innovator whose work is transforming one of Kenya’s most intractable ecological problems into economic opportunity. As the founder and CEO of HyaPak Ecotech Ltd, Nguthiru has developed biodegradable packaging from water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic weed that chokes water bodies like Lake Naivasha.

Nguthiru’s invention includes seedling bags that decompose into soil, parcel packaging that keeps food fresh without refrigeration, and alternative materials for light packaging — all made from hyacinth pulp. Since inception, HyaPak has removed hectares of hyacinth from Kenyan lakes while creating green jobs and restorative environmental action.

His work has gained global acclaim: in 2025, he was named a UN Young Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Programme — one of the world’s highest honours for environmental innovators. He is also recognised as an Obama Foundation Africa Leader and featured on the 40 Under 40 Africa list.

Beyond HyaPak, Nguthiru co-founded M-Situ AI, an AI-based early warning system for deforestation and wildfires, and AfroClimate, an organisation supporting climate entrepreneurs across Africa. His work exemplifies how climate innovation can generate sustainable livelihoods and build resilient ecosystems.