Nairobi revives efforts against air pollution

From the newsletter

Nairobi is updating its greenhouse gas inventory to track emissions causing respiratory illnesses and premature births. These emissions contribute to around 2,500 deaths yearly, says Governor Johnson Sakaja. The initiative aims to address the city's growing health crisis and improve public health outcomes.

• Air pollution in Africa is a significant health cost, contributing to an estimated 1 million deaths annually, with many of these deaths attributed to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, heart disease, stroke and lung cancer.

• The health costs of air pollution translate to economic losses due to reduced workforce productivity, increased healthcare expenditures, and potential impacts on tourism.

More details

• Air pollution is putting considerable strain on Nairobi's health budget, and taking action could save up to $192 million over the next 15 years. Transport is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions in Nairobi, accounting for 40%. Other contributors include waste mismanagement including hospital waste, which makes up 25% and biomass fuel burning, responsible for 15%. Additional factors, such as metal recycling, account for the remaining 15%.

• Nairobi hosts over a third of Kenya's vehicle fleet, contributing to 40% of particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions, with fossil fuel combustion from vehicles responsible for 85% of black carbon emissions. The city's large, aging vehicle fleet and inadequate transport networks exacerbate traffic congestion and pollution. Although vehicle ownership is low , public transport is dominated by old, inefficient buses, making Nairobi one of the most polluted and congested cities globally.

• Air pollution in Nairobi is further intensified by illegal waste dumping and burning, which contribute 25% to PM2.5 levels. The Dandora dumpsite, overfilled since 2001, receives 2,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, leading to methane emissions and fires. Medical waste is often illegally incinerated, as there are only a few licensed incinerators available for the 150 tonnes of waste generated by 250 public health facilities. Despite regulations banning open-air burning, this practice continues, endangering the lives of nearby low-income communities.

• Biomass fuel burning is another significant source of air pollution in Nairobi's low-income areas. Approximately 15% of PM2.5 concentrations in the city are linked to unclean biomass fuels used for cooking and heating in informal settlements. These emissions exacerbate indoor air pollution, with PM2.5 levels reaching dangerous heights in homes during cooking. The heavy reliance on kerosene, wood, and charcoal due to the high cost of cleaner fuels exposes residents, especially women and children, to hazardous pollution levels that exceed WHO guidelines.

• The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that 70% of air pollution-related deaths in Kenya occur in Nairobi. Residents of informal settlements are particularly vulnerable, facing heightened exposure to pollutants from industrial activities, traffic, and the use of biomass fuels for cooking and heating. This exposure is worsened by poor home ventilation and proximity to pollution sources, putting residents at a higher risk of health complications such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease, which can lead to premature death.

Our take

• Nairobi is commonly known as the Green Capital of Africa, thanks to its rich greenery, which features attractions like Nairobi National Park and Karura Forest. The city is also home to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an international environmental headquarters.

• Additionally, Nairobi hosts numerous climate change and health conferences, placing decision-makers and investors right at its doorstep. This positioning provides the city with substantial support to implement policies and take action against air pollution.

• Kenya has no excuse for failing to combat air pollution and its health impacts. If it does, what might be said of smaller nations that lack the resources available to Kenya?