Twenty-two-year-old Richard Turere from Empakasi village in Kajiado East Constituency has won this year’s Young Inventors’ Prize for his ‘Lion Lights’ becoming the first African to scoop the coveted award.
The invention, which seeks to protect livestock from predators during the night, received an ovation across the globe when the 2011 project that he started at the age of 11 was declared the winner of the European Inventor Award after beating two other finalists in the young inventor category during the ceremony in Valencia, Spain.
Speaking after being crowned the winner, an elated Turere, who is the first African youth to ever win the award, said that African youth have a lot they can give to the world once presented with opportunities.
“Being recognized at an International level means a lot. It is a good start for African youths to be recognized by the world, as I believe we have a lot we can give to the world. We can also be part of the solutions to the problems the world is facing,” said Turere.
While thanking everyone who made his invention recognized globally, Turere noted that he wished there were more young inventors in Africa and urged the government to give young people opportunities as they are capable of achieving much.
Growing up near the Nairobi National Park, which saw him witness many cases of human-wildlife conflicts, Turere came up with the affordable lights system, which comprises the use of flashing lights that are mounted on fences to help deter lions from attacking livestock at night, which is the main source of livelihood for his community.
Lion Lights Project uses an affordable lighting system that uses solar energy and can also be combined with wind power when there is little sunshine.
Thanks to his innovation, human-wildlife cases have immensely decreased in Kajiado East as more villagers adopt the project.
His project has since been successfully adopted in India, Argentina, Tanzania, Botswana, and Namibia, where it has helped deter various species of animals, such as hyenas, leopards, and cheetahs.
Through the Young Inventors’ Prize, The European Patent Office recognizes initiatives developed by young inventors, aged 30 and under. It is open to innovators worldwide and celebrates solutions that work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The winner received Sh3 million (EUR 20,000), while the second and third-placed finalists received Sh1.5 million (EUR 10,000) and Sh766,000 (EUR 5,000), respectively.
The Lion Lights invention contributes to UN SDG 15: Life on Land, which includes protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
By Diana Meneto
