Two air pollution monitoring sites set up in Nairobi

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, alongside key stakeholders, has launched two air monitoring sites in Nairobi to address the city's growing air pollution crisis.

The sites, located at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and Nairobi Fire Station along Tom Mboya Street aim to provide essential data on air quality, especially concerning pollutants from waste burning and public transport.

Experts are now warning that Nairobi is choking under air pollution. The clean air quality in the city is at 15%, compared to the recommended 5% by the WHO.

On Friday, the government, in conjunction with Nairobi City County, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Resources Institute, launched air quality monitoring sites in Nairobi to help combat air pollution.

"We launched an air quality monitor for measuring that plays a critical role in driving clean air action by providing data on air pollution levels, which can be used to take decisions and actions aimed at improving air quality," said George Mwaniki from WRI.

Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno added: "We are witnessing severe health impacts of air pollution. In Nairobi, the situation is particularly alarming. Strokes, asthma, and bronchitis have become more common in recent times. This is a critical time for our nation."

The new initiative, supported by the Nairobi County government, USAID, and the World Resources Institute (WRI), seeks to help the city better manage air quality and reduce pollution levels.

"NEMA is setting up vehicle pollution testing and adhering to it strictly. Vehicular exhaust is the main source of pollution particles in the air. Most vehicles are second-hand. There seems to be a correlation between air pollution and the severity of asthma attacks and other respiratory diseases," said NEMA DG Mamo Boru.

Mwaniki added, "As part of the clean air catalyst, we chose Nairobi. 40% of all the emissions you see come from the transport sector."

"UoN is honoured to support this project by setting up this equipment and training Nairobi County staff. The data collected from these monitoring sites will inform crucial policy-making and strategies to improve public health," stated UoN Faculty of Science and Technology Dean Prof. Leonida Kerubo.

The second site, Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, was chosen due to the alarming number of patients from that area who seek medical care for respiratory illnesses.

Mama Lucy Hospital CEO Martin Wafula says that the facility has noted a worrying increase in premature births, a factor directly attributed to the poor air quality in the area.

"We see 3,000 patients daily, and 60% of these cases are due to upper and lower respiratory illnesses. TB and bronchitis are on the rise. We also have cases of premature births, and it is worrying," said Wafula.

 MLKH Board member Judy Kemunto added: "This critical infrastructure is very valuable to the health of this community. MLKH air quality is at 15% against the recommended 5% by WHO, with a lot of it driven by the Dandora dumpsite."

The air monitoring sites will focus on particulate matter and black carbon, which experts say are inhaled through the lungs and directly enter the bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

The equipment is able to monitor the core chemical composition of these particles and isolate sources, such as vehicle exhaust, wood burning, or chemicals from industries, which will in turn inform policy and regulation.