Residents of Wajir North Constituency have petitioned the House to compel the State to identify public buildings that were roofed with asbestos with the view of removing them.
In a petition presented to the National Assembly on their behalf by their MP Ibrahim Abdi, the petitioners said the government should replace asbestos with galvanised iron sheets.
They said the move would mitigate asbestos-related cancer and other negative effects.
They noted that numerous public utilities such as schools, dispensaries, hospitals and police stations in Wajir North and other parts of the country were in the past built using asbestos roofing materials.
They further pointed out that research has revealed that exposure to asbestos is hazardous to human health and could result in an aggressive cancer called ‘mesothelioma’ which affects the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen and presents symptoms similar to those of respiratory illnesses.
Across the globe, 55 countries including the US, New Zealand, Australia and Egypt have banned the use of asbestos as a roofing material. Kenya banned its use in 2006.
“Despite the ban on the use of asbestos in Kenya in 2006, and the associated increase in cancer cases, the material is still in use in many parts of the country,” the petitioners said.
The petitioners further want the House to recommend to relevant ministries to develop and implement a safe disposal plan for all asbestos materials that will be removed from the buildings.
They also want a medical survey carried out in all regions with asbestos roofs to ascertain the extent of cancerous effect of prolonged exposure to the materials and provide necessary health interventions to those who might have been affected.
Asbestos is a versatile material that finds use in various construction aspects, such as soundproofing, ceilings, tiles, and insulation materials, among others.
Historically, the popularity of asbestos as a roofing material was attributed to its lightweight nature and ease of installation.
Other advantages of using asbestos include; the fact that it does not corrode when exposed to chemicals.
They are found in various government institutions including hospitals, universities, education centers, as well as coffee and tea estates, and county government offices.
Despite the ban on asbestos usage in 2006 due to its carcinogenic effects, some residential homes still feature roofs constructed from the material.