A 65-year-old man from Chepkunyuk village in Nandi Hills sub county, who desires to see persons living with disabilities lead a better life has made an eating/meal machine, which will enable them to serve themselves and eat with minimal assistance. Speaking to West Media in Nandi, Willam Oliech who is a father of seven children is a plumber, tailor, shoemaker, mason, welder, drawing artist and a sign language interpreter, said he started collecting material required to make it, including metals, bearings, springs, plastic, wood in 2015.
He explained that the idea was birthed when he read an article in the newspaper some years back about a soldier who went to war and lost his arms in the field of battle, leaving him helpless, “I thought deeply about the soldier ad the challenges he was going through. I brainstormed and thought of a way of helping such people so that they can go about their normal business without depending on others for support, that’s when I came up with the idea of this meals machine,” he said.
The inventor, nicknamed Kipiitkut by Chepkunyuk residents outlined how the machine works, legs are used to switch the pedals according to what one wants to eat, be it food or drinks. It has different platforms, space for a plate, thermos flask, a cup and spoon fixed at appropriate positions, a place for refreshments and a toothbrush. He said he isn’t schooled and the idea is just a gift from God, adding that he aspires to come up with more inventions for future generations. However, he noted that when it comes to inventions, he faces a lot of challenges, mainly financial challenges as he needs stuff which are expensive and has urged the government and well-wishers to help him to ease the burden of his work.