What was once seen as a problem is now becoming part of the solution.
At 62, Mary Otieno from Nyangajo Village is among the women leading this quiet revolution. With steady hands and a hopeful smile, she spreads freshly harvested hyacinth under the sun to dry.
The drying process is an important step before the plant can be turned into briquettes — small blocks of fuel used for cooking.
Mary works alongside other members of the Kanyadhiang Briquettes Nyale Community-Based Organisation, a local group turning environmental hardship into economic opportunity.
The organisation was formed to tackle two major challenges facing the community: the spread of water hyacinth in the lake and the high cost of cooking fuel.
Water hyacinth grows fast and spreads quickly across the water’s surface. It blocks fishing boats, reduces fish populations, and disrupts daily life for families who depend on the lake.
Removing it is not easy work. The women gather the thick plants from the water, load them onto the shore, and leave them out to dry in the open air.
Once dry, the hyacinth is processed and compressed into briquettes. These briquettes burn longer and produce less smoke compared to traditional firewood.
They are affordable for many households and reduce the need to cut down trees for fuel. In this way, the women are not only cleaning the lake but also protecting nearby forests.
The project is more than just an environmental effort. It is a source of income and pride. By selling the briquettes locally, the women earn money to support their families. They are proving that community action can create real change.
Through teamwork, determination, and creativity, the women of Kendu Bay are turning an invasive weed into clean energy — and restoring hope along the lakeshore.
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