NAIROBI, Kenya — Just outside Kenya’s capital, a homegrown innovation in Ongata Rongai is drawing attention for merging food production, environmental sustainability, and medical research in a single aquaculture model.
The project, known as Vertical Lake, was developed by founder and CEO Jack Oyugi in response to declining tilapia stocks. It uses a land-based, vertically stacked tank system designed to replicate a natural lake ecosystem while producing organic, traceable fish.
The innovation has emerged at a time when African health leaders gathered in Nairobi for the 2026 World Health Summit Regional Meeting to discuss strengthening health systems across the continent.
Vertical Lake operates on a closed-loop aquaculture model that maximises space efficiency.
Each 10-by-10-metre unit can hold up to 40,000 fish per production cycle while generating organic fertiliser as a by-product. The system is powered by solar energy, uses rainwater, and relies on natural biofiltration to maintain water quality.
According to Oyugi, the model is designed as a “triple win”—supporting sustainable food production, reducing environmental waste, and creating value-added agricultural products from fish waste.
Beyond aquaculture, the project is now expanding into medical research through collaboration with clinician Dr Jeff Olwero, a critical care specialist exploring biomedical applications of fish by-products.
Olwero is leading research into how fish skin, scales, and bones can be used in medical innovations, including wound care solutions and surgical materials.
One area of focus is antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global health threat that limits the effectiveness of existing antibiotics.
He said early studies using fish-derived collagen have shown promising results in improving recovery outcomes among critically ill patients.
“Fish skin grafts are biocompatible with human cells,” Olwero said, noting that the materials contain collagen and omega-3 fatty acids that may support tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation.
Clinical trials are underway, including the development of absorbable sutures and fish skin grafts for wound treatment.
Some pilot applications have already been tested in specialised clinics, with broader hospital adoption expected pending regulatory approvals.
The team is working with the Kenya Bureau of Standards and awaiting additional approvals from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board before scaling medical applications.
Oyugi said the innovation demonstrates Africa’s capacity to develop local solutions for both food security and healthcare challenges without relying on external technologies.
“We are using our fish to validate concepts in wound care and cosmetics,” he said, adding that certification processes are ongoing.
Beyond healthcare, Vertical Lake is already supplying premium boneless fish fillets to niche urban markets through retail outlets, while also producing organic fertilisers such as BlueHarvest.
The fertiliser, derived from fish waste, is used by farmers to improve soil health, drought resilience, and crop yields across maize, tea, vegetables, and fruit farming systems.
The company says it is targeting expansion into urban agriculture, dryland farming, and even refugee settings, with modular systems designed to produce up to 50 fish per month in small-scale units.
Despite its growth, the venture faces regulatory and infrastructure challenges, particularly around laboratory access for collagen extraction and clinical validation.
Still, proponents argue that the model represents a broader shift toward integrated innovation, where agriculture, climate resilience, and healthcare intersect.
If successfully scaled, Vertical Lake could position itself as a rare example of a Kenyan innovation bridging food systems and medical science in a single ecosystem-driven model.
