Nairobi accounts for huge deaths from air pollution as experts sound alarm bells

Even though it is not a concern to many, air pollution is among the leading causes of death in Kenya especially in Nairobi.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 19,000 people die annually in Kenya due to air pollution.

In its report, the United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP] said that of the total deaths in Kenya, resulting from air pollution, Nairobi accounted for 70 percent of those deaths, perhaps signifying the degree to which air pollution is prevalent in Kenya’s capital.

This position is further buttressed by experts who warn that Nairobi’s air quality is getting worse each day, with Particulate Matter [PM] 2.5 levels getting higher than the recommended limit by WHO.

PM 2.5 are fine particulate matter that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. These tiny particles are inhalable into the lungs and can induce adverse health conditions. They come from many sources, such as burning garbage in open areas, burning forests, burning fossil fuels for lighting and transportation, heating oil, chemicals in mines and even using indoor stoves.

Transport sector in Nairobi is one of the major contributors to air pollution. Due to the city’s high population, the demand for vehicles is high, hence most entrepreneurs procuring cheap fossil fuel driven ones, and this comes with its adverse effects.

Janet Meroka, a business lady residing in Nairobi’s Kasarani area has always complained of headache after using public transport.

She says, “I always experience a severe headache for two to three hours before it cools down whenever I use a matatu,” she complained.  “I normally take antibiotics to cool the situation down.”

She adds, “I do not experience the condition during the weekends when I am at home.”

She confirmed that she started using her husband’s car too but the condition persisted.

Edward Sabasi, a journalist residing at Kilimani area complains of a similar problem.

Mr. Sabasi who often uses public transport says each evening he experiences a headache accompanied with nausea.

Risks associated with air-pollution

According to Dr. Sammy Simiyu, a medical doctor working with Vital Strategies, air pollution may increase risks of diseases such as heart disease, lung cancer, headaches, stroke, respiratory infections among others.

“Health risks vary depending on gender, age, health conditions, locality, occupation, lifestyle among others. For instance, elderly people with underlying health conditions like asthma or cancer, are likely to be affected more compared to the youth,” Dr. Simiyu says.

He further said that air pollution can also lead to preterm births, reduced growth among children and low birth weight.

Prof. Paul Njogu, a  Research and Data lecturer at  Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology[JKUAT], advises that vehicles should be inspected regularly, and ensure they are mounted with catalytic converters - a device that filters out harmful byproducts in the exhaust gases and burns them up to reduce harmful emissions.

Prof. Njogu opined that the government should put incentives on new clean vehicles which are less harmful to phase out older fossil fuel driven vehicles that pollute more.