Met begins analysis of air pollution after sensor installed

The weatherman has began collecting data on air pollution in Nairobi and other parts of the country.

Bad air is blamed for the rise in respiratory diseases, the top killer of Kenyans according to the Economic Survey 2023.

Meteorological Department said data gathered will contribute to a better understanding of climate change induced by air pollution.

It will also help Kenyans decide where to settle in Nairobi, if air quality is a consideration.

The first sensor was last week installed in Nairobi, with nine additional sensors to be installed in other locations within the city and its environs.

Met director David Gikungu said the department currently measures the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at its Nairobi and Mt Kenya upper air monitoring stations.

“The newly installed air quality sensors will enhance the meteorological observation network and increase the quantity of air quality data, which will be useful in climate change research and in monitoring air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 19,000 people die each year in Kenya due to air pollution, with Unep citing 70 per cent pollution levels in Nairobi.

The new monitoring system was launched last week in a ceremony led by Gikungu, Stockholm Environment Institute Africa Centre director Philip Osano and Unep Regional Science-Policy Coordinator Early Warning and Assessment Division Charles Sebukeera.

This initiative was prompted by the "Integrated Assessment of Air Pollution and Climate Change for Sustainable Development in Africa" report, developed by African scientists from the African Union Commission, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the Unep, with support from the SIE.

 The report outlines 37 measures for African countries to reduce emissions that cause air pollution and climate change, targeting key economic sectors such as transport, residential energy use, energy generation and industry, agriculture and food systems and waste management.

The proposed measures in the Integrated Assessment can assist African governments in moderating climate change and reducing adaptation costs.

Additionally, these measures will improve air quality and help protect the continent from the negative impacts of climate change.

“A key challenge for addressing air pollution in Africa is the lack of data,” Osano said.

The data collected from the deployed sensors will be shared among Met, SEI, and Unep, supporting research on short-lived climate pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions in Kenya.

The three institutions said unchecked increases in air pollutants pose a danger that may become uncontrollable in the future.

“Our partnership with KMD [Met]enhances our data analysis capabilities, ensuring sensor data informs effective environmental policies. This aligns with Unep’s broader goal of improving air quality across Kenya and Africa through regional cooperation.”

Met is mandated to monitor weather and climate parameters to ensure safety of life, livelihoods and protection of the natural environment.

WHO says about nine out of 10 people are exposed to air pollution beyond acceptable global health standards.

This polluted air causes seven million deaths each year, worldwide and also causes chronic diseases such as asthma and reduces the developmental potential of the unborn baby.

In March, Nairobi was rated 45th in air quality in the world.

This assessment was done by a Swiss company, which relies on air monitors mounted in different locations around the world to measure quality of air.

The monitors measure the amount of fine inhalable particles called particulate matter (PM2.5) with diameters not bigger than that of a strand of hair.

The assessment has been published in a global report known as IQAir.

The company releases the report annually and is probably the most comprehensive in the world.

“A clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a universal human right. In many parts of the world the lack of air quality data delays decisive action and perpetuates unnecessary human suffering,” said Frank Hammes, CEO of IQAir.

Kenya was 45th among the 134 countries that reported air quality, mostly around cities.

The countries with the cleanest air include French Polynesia, Mauritius, Iceland, Grenada and Bermuda in that order.

On the other hand, the dirtiest air is found in Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso and Iraq.

However, the good ratings for Kenya may depend on where the air monitors are mounted.