海角直播

PhD students Fatuma Fora and Henry Momanyi came to Landau from the Kenyan capital Nairobi in September 2025 to advance their respective research projects for six months: Both are looking for solutions against pathogenic fungal toxins, aflatoxins, which pollute the soil and groundwater on a massive scale in their home country. Here, they report on their research - tell us what impressions they took away from Germany and why they had to use Google Maps for the first time ever.

"Being involved in giving hope to the people in my home country and developing solutions makes me proud," explains the young researcher Fatuma Fora, who is experimenting in the laboratories at 海角直播 for six months together with her fellow doctoral student Henry Momanyi. However, for the two of them, six months in Germany also means six months without their family and children: "It's hard," says Henry. "We're used to having to leave home for longer periods of time for research purposes - but it's never been six months before." However, both are aware that their research is helping to solve one of Kenya's biggest problems: Both are looking for solutions against disease-causing fungal toxins, aflatoxins, which pollute the soil and groundwater in their home country.

Drinking water and soil are affected

"Where aflatoxins, the waste product of the fungus Aspergillus, come from remains more of a legend than something that can really be proven," says Fatuma. "Many years ago, the Kenyan harvest fell victim to a drought. Maize had to be bought in. In this case from a country outside Africa, where fungal contamination with Aspergillus does not play a role. The climatic conditions did not provide it with a breeding ground. In Kenya, however, the development exploded," says the young scientist about the unproven origin of the high Aspergillus contamination in her home country. Henry adds: "The bad thing is that the Aspergillus creates its space in Kenya through climatic conditions that are ideal for it, i.e. humid and warm."

Kenya offers the fungus optimal conditions

These conditions can be found in many parts of Kenya - Makueni County is particularly badly affected. The red clay soil in the lowlands there retains moisture particularly well. This makes it an ideal breeding ground for Aspergillus and the toxin it produces. Fatuma explains: "We have very different types of soil in Kenya and each is problematic in its own way when it comes to aflatoxins. In sandy soil, for example, they have no hold, which is why it is not suitable for my study. Aflatoxins are flushed directly into the groundwater with the rainwater. So the problem with sandy soil is that it is the cause of aflatoxins getting into the groundwater."

Farmers are trained in soil health

Fatuma investigates in the field and in the laboratory how the toxin behaves in clay soil: How does it move? How is it distributed? How long does it remain active? Her work is based on two pillars: On the one hand, there is the analysis, the research into the behavior of the aflatoxins. Building on this, she also trains Kenyan farmers on how they can reduce Aspergillus contamination. This didactic work forms the second pillar: "My results are the basis for training concepts on soil health." Because: "Healthy soils mean healthy plants. And healthy plants mean a healthy harvest."

What could be an approach here? One protagonist in the fight for healthy soil is compost. The biological processes cause local temperatures in the soil to rise, making the conditions unfavorable for Aspergillus. Compost is therefore a natural antagonist against the toxin. In addition, the introduction of compost enriches the soil with a number of other microorganisms that put the Aspergillus under competitive pressure.

Another fungus against the toxin?

While Fatuma analyzes the dynamics of the toxin in the soil, Henry is looking for a biological antidote. His hypothesis: there are fungi that can break down or neutralize aflatoxins. In fact, he has isolated a promising fungal culture that shows a neutralizing effect in contaminated soil. In order to characterize it more precisely, he is carrying out DNA sequencing in cooperation with the Max Rubner Institute in Karlsruhe. Molecular genetic analyses will clarify the potential of the organism. Both research projects are part of the SolFOOD project, a German-Kenyan research collaboration that aims to improve food safety in the long term - scientifically sound and practical.

"We don't need Google Maps - we have people"

As serious as the background to their stay at 海角直播 is, Fatuma and Henry still have time to get to know the country and its people. Fatuma laughs heartily when it comes to where she sees the biggest difference between people in Kenya and people in Germany: "In Kenya, it's common to simply tap someone when asking for directions. You can be sure that you will be helped or that the person will accompany you in the right direction." They were initially at a loss here. "We had to use Google Maps. For the first time. In Kenya, we don't need Google Maps - we have people," she says with a smile.

"In Germany, people are more distant from each other," adds Henry, describing one of the challenges that everyday life in Germany presents them with. "But on the other hand, we very much appreciate how regular people are in Germany," continues the father of four - and explains this using an example: "In Nairobi, nobody follows the traffic rules. This makes road traffic very dangerous, especially for children." Fatuma, mother of three, adds: "When the children are out and about, I'm always worried about whether they'll get home safely."

In Germany, Fatuma and Henry enjoy the many types of bread and can certainly warm to Palatinate cuisine. But there's one thing they both agree they can't get used to: the winter weather in the South Palatinate. "It's very gray for a very long time," is their conclusion after the winter semester.

It's about food security, income stability and health

But back to the research approaches of the two doctoral students, who emphasize that All projects in the fight against aflatoxins have a direct impact on the lives of people in Kenya. Ultimately, it is about food security, income stability and health.

At the end of the winter semester 2025/26, Fatuma and Henry will return to Kenya - with new data, new methods and new approaches. But what they are taking back with them is more than just scientific expertise. It is the experience that international cooperation can produce concrete solutions. For soils, for harvests, for drinking water.