9-year-old Stephen Wamukota made the semi-automatic hand washing machine from leftover woods, nails and a water tanker.
A nine-year-old Kenyan boy was honoured with a presidential award after he came up with a hand washing machine to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in his country.
Stephen Wamukota from Bungoma County in western Kenya was the youngest of 68 people to receive the award from President Uhuru Kenyatta, reported CNN.
The semi-automatic machine was built using wood, nails and a water tanker. The machine has two-foot pedals, one for releasing soap and the other for water. It allows a user to wash their hands without touching any of the surfaces with their hands.
Many who came across Wamukota’s invention praised him for his creativity. Take a look at some of the comments here:
Well done Boy!
— Stella-Maris Amadhila-Namibian (@Proudly02194855) June 5, 2020
Well done young man
— zoces (@zoces2) June 2, 2020
9 year old🤔🤔🤔😍😍😍… Damn that kid is smart
— Lesego LSG🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@l_mohuba) June 4, 2020
That is very good to hear it will encourage him, hope the country will learn to invest in ideas from now on
— Dan_Arewa (@Dan_Arewa__) June 4, 2020
Congratulations to our very own Stephen Wamukota
— Mrs Augustine (@MrsAugustine5) June 4, 2020
Hope his talent is natured and protected
— Lebogang (@Lebza07700511) June 4, 2020
Wonderful
— ashton bille (@ashbille_zw) June 4, 2020
Wamukota’s father, James, told CNN that his son came up with the machine after watching news reports about the virus and how to prevent its spread.
“The first time the president announced Covid-19 infection in our country, it was said that everyone should wash their hands regularly to prevent the virus. My son told me that time that he had come up with a structure to help make handwashing easier, “James told the channel.
Over 2000 people have tested positive for the virus in Kenya with the death toll at 84 so far.
