Air
pollution remains a major environmental threat to public health in Kenya with citizens
exposed to pollutant levels four times above the World Health Organisation
(WHO) recommended guideline.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Pollution Action Note shows that Kenyans are exposed to an average of 20.3 micrograms per cubic metre of fine particulate matter annually.
“Air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to public health globally and accounts for more than eight million premature deaths every year. Air pollution and climate change are closely linked as all major pollutants have an impact on the climate and most share common sources with greenhouse gases,” a UNEP report says.
It has listed Kenya among countries grappling with air pollution.
The report shows that several East African countries are also recording air pollution levels above WHO recommendations.
Ethiopia has an annual exposure level of 23.8 micrograms per cubic metre, Sudan 37.6, Djibouti 40.3, Somalia 18.5, Rwanda 36, Burundi 35.7, Tanzania 20.2 and South Sudan 23.7 micrograms per cubic metre.
WHO air quality guidelines provide global targets for governments seeking to reduce pollution and protect public health. In 2021, the organisation updated its annual mean guideline for PM2.5 pollution to five micrograms per cubic metre, reducing the previous 2005 recommendation of 10 micrograms per cubic metre.
The report indicates that more than 26,000 Kenyans die annually due to household air pollution.
Fine particles known as PM2.5, which include soot, soil dust and sulphates, can penetrate deep into the body and damage the lungs, heart and brain.
Globally, air pollution remains a significant health challenge. In 2023, 99 per cent of the world’s population lived in areas where WHO’s strictest air quality guidelines were not met.
The report attributes most air pollution emissions to human activities and says understanding the sources of PM2.5 is essential for policymakers, scientists and communities to develop effective interventions.
Rising global temperatures have also increased the frequency of wildfires, contributing further to particulate air pollution.
The statistics show that fine particulate pollution contributes to six per cent of deaths from ischemic heart disease. In 2021, about four million people died globally from exposure to outdoor fine particulate air pollution.
Household pollution also remains a concern, with about 2.4 billion people worldwide relying on polluting fuels for cooking and heating, leading to about 3.2 million premature deaths annually.
Diseases linked to PM2.5 exposure include stroke, heart disease, lung disease, respiratory infections and cancer.
Kenya is among countries participating in the Eastern Africa Regional Framework on Air Pollution, also known as the Nairobi Agreement, which brings together 11 countries to develop measures addressing pollution from transport, industry, energy, waste, fires, indoor air pollution and urban planning.
