New state-of-the-art equipment to provide data on sources of local air pollution

Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, now has two new air quality monitoring stations that will provide city managers with their first access to real-time, continuous data—scientific information that is needed to support action to tackle the city’s growing air pollution crisis.

In an event held at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital on September 13, 2024, the Clean Air Catalyst Program, in collaboration with the Nairobi City County Government (NCCG), the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Resources Institute (WRI), organized a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new station located there. The second station was recently installed at the Fire Station on Tom Mboya Street.

The regulatory-grade monitoring equipment will measure levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is harmful to human health when inhaled. High levels of PM2.5 are linked to serious health issues, including heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory conditions such as asthma. The equipment will also collect data on black carbon, another form of particulate matter that is also linked to climate change, as well as on weather parameters such as humidity and wind direction. The data collected from these sites will play a crucial role in supporting the Clean Air Catalyst partners to better understand sources of pollution in the transport and waste sectors and, ultimately, to develop actions to protect public health and improve the quality of life for Nairobi residents.

A section of guests during the launch of Mama Lucy Kibaki monitoring site / Source: Clique Pictures.

The launch of these monitoring sites brought together national and county government representatives and Clean Air Catalyst partners to emphasize the importance of investing in data collection and analysis to accelerate action to combat air pollution — a key theme of the UN’s Fifth Annual International Clean Air Day for Blue Skies which was observed around the world on September 7th.

The event began with a symbolic tree planting session led by the chief guest, Engineer Festus Ng’eno, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Environment and Climate Change. He was accompanied by Nairobi Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri, Dr. George Mwaniki, head of WRI Africa, Maureen Njeri, a Nairobi County Executive Committee Member, and Dr. Martin Wafula, the Chief Executive Officer of Mama Lucy Hospital, among others.   

A monitoring site at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital that will serve as a data collection center was then officially launched.

PS Festus Ng’eno, launching the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital Air Quality monitoring site / Source: Clique Pictures.

In her opening remarks, Dorcas Kemunto the board chairperson at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital appreciated the fact that the health facility had been identified for the implementation of air monitoring. She said that air quality is a factor of public health that directly impacts respiratory conditions and the overall health of individuals. She added: "This critical infrastructure is very valuable to the health of this community. The hospital’s air quality is poor. The new air monitoring system shows PM2.5 levels are three times higher than the World Health Organization's threshold for clean air, with a lot of it driven by the nearby Dandora dumpsite.”

Dorcas Kemunto, Board chairperson at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital / Source: Clique Pictures.

Tupumue Youth Artists, a group from Mukuru Viwandani, entertained the audience with a skit that championed air quality. The skit depicted how society pollutes the air and touched on necessary interventions to curb the menace.

Tupumue Youth Artists Group on stage / Source: Clique Pictures.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Festus Ng’eno, the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the national government's commitment to working closely with the Nairobi County Government to ensure the clean air for all.

He pointed out that the worst air quality is found in informal settlements, where over 70% of Nairobi's residents live. Dr. Ng’eno stressed that understanding and addressing the disproportionate impact of air pollution on vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, is critical to the future of both the city and the country.

He also highlighted the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry’s ongoing implementation of the air quality regulations of 2014 through the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). These regulations set standards for emissions from both stationary and mobile sources. Subsequently, in 2022, the Nairobi City County Air Quality Act was passed by the Nairobi Assembly and NCCG established a citywide Air Quality Action Plan to enable the implementation of these standards.

Dr. Ng'eno urged the private sector to contribute to this effort by adopting cleaner technologies and reducing emissions from their operations. He also called on civil society organizations to continue advocating for cleaner air and to educate the public about the dangers of pollution.

Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno giving his remarks during the launch / Source: Clique Pictures.

Njoroge Muchiri, the Deputy Governor of Nairobi County, acknowledged the poor state of air quality in the city and called for collective responsibility to improve the air that residents breathe. He emphasized that effective communication is essential for educating the public on air quality issues and fostering greater awareness.

Muchiri also mentioned the county government's ongoing efforts to decongest markets as a strategy to reduce air pollution. He highlighted that a data-driven approach will guide future policies and initiatives, including the development of Clean Air Zones. These zones will be established to better manage air quality in high-risk areas, with the goal of protecting the most vulnerable communities and reducing harmful emissions where they are most concentrated.

Nairobi Deputy Governor H.E. Njoroge Muchiri at the launch / Source: Clique Pictures.

Mamo Boru Mamo, Director General of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), stated that factors such as population growth, traffic, construction activities, and deforestation are major contributors to air pollution in Nairobi.

Mamo emphasized that the air pollution situation in Nairobi is serious enough to necessitate the establishment of a regular air quality management system. He highlighted the importance of cities having the capability to monitor and manage air quality effectively, using accurate data within a structured administrative and legislative framework to make informed decisions.

He further pointed out that the absence of reliable air pollution data creates the false impression that the situation is under control, thus masking a global health issue. Mamo noted that motor vehicle emissions are a dominant source of air pollutants, particularly in high-traffic areas. He urged both state and non-state actors to work together in addressing air pollution, especially in urban centers.

Mamo Boru Mamo, Director General of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)

Dr. George Mwaniki, Head of Air Quality for WRI Africa, announced that in the coming months, Nairobi will see an increase in the number of air quality monitors to improve data collection. He reassured attendees that WRI will continue to collaborate with both the national and county governments to address emissions from the waste management and transport sectors.

Dr. Mwaniki further stated that WRI will continue working with the government and the city with the ultimate goal of the project is to achieve a significant reduction in air pollution by 2030.

Dr. George Mwaniki (left) illustrating how the air quality monitoring site operates / Source: Clique Pictures.

Dr. Martin Wafula, Chief Executive Officer at Mama Lucy Hospital, noted that upper respiratory tract infections are among the most reported diseases at the facility. On average, the hospital sees 3,000 patients daily, many of whom have respiratory issues. 

Dr. Wafula emphasized that a significant number of these cases, particularly among children, are likely linked to poor air quality. He expressed optimism that the newly installed air quality monitor would help track both the diseases and their sources, providing valuable data for better health outcomes.

Nairobi County Executive Committee Member, Maureen Njeri, commended the launch of the air quality monitoring sites, calling it a bold step toward achieving the county’s goals of protecting public health and acting promptly on data-driven insights. She highlighted the importance of data in shaping strategic interventions to address air pollution and added that this initiative aligns with the  Nairobi city county air quality act of 2022, reflecting the county’s commitment to improving air quality for all its residents.

Maureen Njeri, Nairobi County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Green Nairobi / Source: Clique Pictures.

Peter Nganga, Environment and Climate Change Expert from USAID Kenya, highlighted that air pollution in Nairobi carries a significant economic cost, estimated at nearly 2% of the city's GDP. This impact is felt through reduced productivity, increased healthcare costs, and challenges to sustainable population growth.

He stressed that these figures are not just statistics but represent daily realities and challenges faced by millions of people in the city, underscoring the urgent need for action to protect both public health and economic prosperity. Nganga also noted that air pollution is the fourth largest risk factor for early death globally, and the second leading cause in Africa, after malnutrition.

Peter Ng’ang’a, Environment and Climate Change Expert USAID / Source: Clique Pictures.

Professor Leonida Kerubo, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Nairobi, represented the Vice Chancellor, Professor Margaret Hutchinson, at the event. She stated that this collaborative initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing air pollution.

Professor Kerubo emphasized that the University of Nairobi is honored to support the project by establishing advanced air quality monitoring systems, maintaining the equipment, and providing training to Nairobi County and NEMA staff. She noted that data from the monitoring sites will offer valuable insights into local air pollution sources, including waste burning and public transport.

She added that by supporting the Clean Air Catalyst project, the university aligns with its mission to drive impactful change through scientific research and practical solutions.

Professor Leonida Kerubo, Dean Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Nairobi. / Source: Clique Pictures.

Suzanne Silantoi, the Nairobi County Executive Committee Member in charge of Health, Wellness, and Nutrition, emphasized the importance of collaborating with environmental teams to curb air pollution. She noted that health facilities often receive patients suffering from air pollution-related infections. By forming partnerships, data collected from monitoring sites can be used to develop data-driven solutions.

Suzanne Silantoi, Nairobi County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Health, Wellness and Nutrition / Source: Clique Pictures.

Ivy Murgor, the Air Quality Program Manager, described the launch as a significant milestone for the City of Nairobi in safeguarding the health of its residents. The successful launch, made possible by a financial support of Ksh 20.4 million ($158,000) from USAID, garnered extensive media attention from international, national, and community  outlets.