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Member of the Nema Board, Loice Kipkiror, during the plenary session at the Pan Africa conference.

The Kenya Medical Research Institute has reported that more than 26,000 people died in the country last year due to harmful air pollution.

The organization cautions that the figure will increase unless actions are taken.

In reality, the data presented by the institute at the Pan-African Conference on Environment, Climate Change and Health: Science to policy indicates that the numbers are increasing.

In 2016, 16,000 fatalities were linked to dangerous levels of air pollution.

It reached 21,000 fatalities in 2019.

Kemri research officer Gohole Arthur stated that more than 90 percent of schools and 76 percent of households use polluting fuels.

Arthur mentioned that 11.5 million tonnes of wood are collected each year for use in schools and home kitchens.

“This leads to an equivalent of 20.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, which contributes to heightened global warming and elevated levels of two harmful household pollutants,” Arthur stated, noting that pollution levels were three times higher than those recommended by the WHO.

The Pan-African Conference serves as Africa’s initial comprehensive platform, bringing together professionals from the health, climate, and environmental sectors to synchronize research and policy initiatives in addressing the continent’s intertwined challenges.

Arthur was a participant in a plenary session titled “healthy environments for population health.”

Other participants were Pushpam Kumar of UNEP, along with board members of the National Environment Management Authority, Loice Kipkiror and Amos Andama.

Arthur emphasized the importance of enhancing national air quality monitoring and data gathering, as well as speeding up the shift toward clean household energy technologies.

He mentioned that there is a requirement for greater emphasis on policies and financial support for tackling harmful air pollution, as well as for developing local capabilities and promoting global cooperation.

He mentioned that they have implemented certain initiatives through its pioneering air pollution Center of Excellence.

Experts have received their training at the center, which is a Sub-Saharan African Center of Excellence for air pollution monitoring, prevention, and health.

Their research focuses on the effects of indoor air pollutants on at-risk groups, including children, the elderly, and people with breathing-related illnesses.

They are also developing efficient air circulation methods, among other things, he mentioned.

Arthur mentioned that they are also conducting a nationwide baseline study on indoor air pollution levels, stove usage, and health-related effects within Kenyan kitchen environments.

He mentioned that a baseline survey and kitchen performance test among households using firewood, charcoal, and kerosene for cooking in Kenya has been finalized.

The organization has finished a research project examining the possible advantages of using LPG for cooking in informal settlement schools across Kenya, focusing on environmental impact, time efficiency, expenses, and health.

Arthur mentioned that the assessment of energy-saving pots for home cooking in Kenya has been finalized.

He mentioned that Sh16 billion is required to carry out the Kenya Household Air Pollution Prevention Strategy for 2024-2029.

Arthur mentioned several difficulties, such as limited equipment, which has resulted in a reduced capacity to gather thorough air quality data and assist academic research.

“There is a restricted ability to carry out air quality training in various counties, resulting in knowledge deficiencies among environmental health professionals and financial difficulties that hinder the expansion of monitoring systems and training initiatives,” he stated.

Only 2,350 of the 130,000 community health workers have received training on dangerous air pollution, representing a 1.8 percent coverage rate, he mentioned.

Kipkiror mentioned that Nema has been conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) for several projects.

Although ESIA offers numerous advantages, its success in Kenya relies on the quality and implementation, she mentioned.

An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is a process that evaluates the possible beneficial and harmful effects of a project on the environment and community prior to its initiation.

The main governmental organization in Kenya that handles environmental matters is Nema.

Kipkiror remarked positively, stating that the preventive actions might not consistently be properly executed or supervised; a situation that leads to health advantages not being realized.

She mentioned that occasionally, health effects receive less attention compared to environmental factors.

Kipkiror emphasized that effective public involvement is necessary, but if communities are not properly included, social or health issues could be overlooked.

“The most significant factors are the quality of evaluation, effective mitigation measures, project monitoring, and robust cooperation with other sectors, including health,” she stated.

Kipkiror emphasized the importance of environmental specialists thoroughly reviewing Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) reports, which serve as crucial indicators of environmental conditions.

In Kenya, the ESIA process is a mandatory legal requirement for numerous development projects, managed by Nema and must be followed.

Andama stated that Nema will soon begin testing vehicles that are harming the environment, and mentioned that the organization has distributed its services.

He stated that the authority hasleveragedregarding technologies, a step that has earned it several accolades within the industry.

Andama highlighted that “our planet is unique, and we need to protect the environment for the sake of present and future generations.”