Stakeholders Convene in Eldoret to Advance Community-Based Production of Affordable Sanitary Pads from Maize Stalks

Eldoret, Kenya – Stakeholders from academia, government, research institutions, standards agencies and the manufacturing sector gathered at Sirikwa Hotel in Eldoret for a Stakeholders Engagement Workshop on the innovative project titled “Decentralised, Community-driven Production of Maize Stalk-based Sanitary Pads for Low-income and Marginalized Women in Kenya.” 

The Workshop, held under the theme: “Promoting Sustainable Menstrual Health Solutions through Community-based Production of Sanitary Pads from Agricultural Residues,” brought together representatives from the Open University of Kenya (OUK), Moi University, Kenya Institute of Manufacturing, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), county government officials, development partners, community women representatives and other key stakeholders to review progress and chart the way forward for the project.

The project, funded through the Fund for Innovation and Development (FID) of the French Development Agency (AFD), is a partnership between the Open University of Kenya and Moi University. It seeks to address two pressing challenges in Kenya: limited access to affordable menstrual hygiene products among low-income and marginalized women and environmental pollution resulting from the burning of maize stalk residues.

In his welcome remarks, Moi University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kiplangat Kotut, described the project as a timely and localized innovation that transforms readily available agricultural materials into valuable products that directly benefit communities.

“This project demonstrates how locally available resources can be converted into useful products that address societal challenges. Researchers should continue developing practical solutions that improve people's lives,” he said.

Officially opening the workshop, the Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Kenya, Prof. Elijah Owenga represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Carolyne Omulando, said the project demonstrates how research can be translated into solutions that address real societal needs.

“Through this project, maize stalks are being reimagined as a useful resource for the development of affordable sanitary pad products. This is practical innovation. It connects research with community needs, agriculture with health and environmental sustainability with women’s empowerment,” he said.

Representing the County Executive Committee Member for Health, Mr. Laban Kiprop, Director of Preventive and Promotive Health Services in Uasin Gishu County, commended the universities for taking an active role in mentoring communities and addressing critical health challenges.

He observed that menstrual hygiene remains a major concern for county governments, noting that lack of access to quality sanitary products contributes to infections, psychological distress, stigma and gender inequality.

“This innovation has the potential to improve the health and wellbeing of women and girls while empowering communities economically. Access to quality and approved sanitary products is critical in protecting the dignity and health of women and girls,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the French Development Agency, Mr. Robin Matthieu, the FID/AFD representative, said the Fund supports the testing, evaluation and scaling of innovations that tackle poverty and inequality.

He noted that the maize stalk sanitary pad project exemplifies the type of practical, community-centered innovation that can create lasting social impact while addressing environmental concerns.

The Principal Investigator, Prof. David Njuguna from the Open University of Kenya, noted that the initiative aims to take manufacturing closer to the people by establishing decentralized production units within communities.

“Our goal is to bring factories to the village and create opportunities for low-income and marginalized communities to produce affordable sanitary pads and improving livelihoods,” he said.

The project is developing a sustainable model that converts maize stalk agro-residue into affordable sanitary pads through decentralized village-based micro-production plants operated by women's groups. The sanitary pads, branded Amazing Sanitary Pad, are being piloted in Kesses Sub-county.

The initiative is informed by research showing that approximately 65% of women and girls in Kenya cannot afford commercial sanitary pads. While about 65% of women in urban areas use commercial sanitary products, only 46% of rural women have access to them. Additionally, nearly 20% of rural women rely on unhygienic alternatives such as cloth, tissue paper and natural materials.

The project also addresses environmental challenges associated with maize production. Maize cultivation occupies approximately 48.5% of Kenya’s arable land, generating millions of tonnes of maize stalk residues annually. Much of this biomass is burned in fields, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Through a decentralized production model supported by micro-pad manufacturing machines, the project seeks to make sanitary products more affordable, accessible, available and acceptable to rural communities. Local production reduces costs, strengthens supply chains and ensures products are tailored to community needs while meeting quality standards.

Beyond improving menstrual hygiene management, the initiative is expected to increase school attendance among girls, promote women’s economic empowerment and reduce environmental degradation through the productive use of agricultural waste.

The project is being implemented in five phases: pilot preparation, piloting, up-scaling preparation, up-scaling and policy transformation. The partners reported that Phase One activities have been successfully completed and preparations are underway for the next stages of implementation.