Solar-powered mosquito trapping system launched

Engie Energy Access Country Director Fredrick Noballa (right) and Pre-Mal Co-Founder Lorenzo Fiori launching a solar-powered mosquito trapping system christened MTego in Kenya, in a boost to the fight against Malaria in the country at Radisson Blu on July 21, 2022. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The war against malaria has been taken to the next level with the launch of MTego, a solar-powered insecticide-free mosquito trapping system.

The product was made by Engie Energy and PreMal companies and aims at combating the spread of malaria - a major killer disease in Africa, especially in rural areas.

‘‘To achieve malaria elimination in the country, we must empower households to acquire long-term sustainable solutions,’’ said Engie Energy Kenya Director Fredrick Noballa at the launch of the product in Nairobi yesterday.

Malaria is expensive to control and treat with countries spending huge sums of resources on it.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 241 million cases of malaria are reported every year worldwide with Africa taking the bigger share at 95 per cent of the cases.

‘‘MTego is a critical innovative enabler with a sizeable effectiveness radius that will keep the insects away and in effect ending malaria and helping Kenyans focus on income generating activities and their welfare,’’ said Noballa.

This move comes as the Centre for Disease Control in Kenya estimates that there are 3.5 million new clinical cases of malaria and 10,700 deaths each year.

The bio-inspired environmental solution aims to prevent the spread of malaria by trapping mosquitos outside by mimicking human odour, hence cutting down mosquito bites to reduce the risk of transmission.

‘‘What this technology does is that it mimics human odour to lure host-seeking malaria mosquitos which prevent them from flying inside,’’ said PreMal co-founder Lorenzo Fiori.

The contraption has a range of around 100 square metres and is powered by 12 volts of energy.