Mr. Bonface Jiveri, a staff member at Kaimosi Friends University, participated in the Leaders in Innovation Fellowship (LIF) hosted by the Royal Academy of Engineering at the Commodore Hotel, Cape Town, from May 12 to 16, 2025.
Mr. Jiveri was selected to present his innovation project titled “Sustainable Production and Delivery of Biodegradable Sanitary Pads from Sugarcane Bagasse and Plectranthus barbatus Leaves for Vulnerable Rural Women and Girls in the Lake Victoria Basin (BIO-PADS).” The project focuses on developing affordable, biodegradable sanitary pads using agricultural by-products to improve menstrual hygiene access for underserved communities in Kenya.
The fellowship brought together researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs from across the world to undergo intensive training on commercialisation, business modelling, and sustainable innovation practices. Mr. Jiveri’s participation marks a significant milestone for Kaimosi Friends University in advancing research with real-world impact.
Participants of the 2025 Leaders in Innovation Fellowship pose for a group photo at the Commodore Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa. The program, hosted by the Royal Academy of Engineering, brought together global innovators developing sustainable, impact-driven technologies.
Throughout the week-long programme, Mr. Jiveri participated in intensive training sessions covering business development, intellectual property management, and strategies for scaling up innovations. He also had opportunities to engage with global mentors, investors, and fellow innovators, strengthening his capacity to drive the BIO-PADS project forward.
The project aligns with Kenya’s sustainability and gender equity goals, and its selection for the fellowship reflects the growing global interest in locally grounded, socially impactful innovations.
Kaimosi Friends University has lauded Mr. Jiveri’s participation, calling it a step forward in the institution’s commitment to research, innovation, and community empowerment. Plans are underway to pilot the BIO-PADS project in counties surrounding Lake Victoria.
The LIF programme is part of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s global efforts to support innovators from emerging economies in scaling up science and engineering-based solutions.