The Nairobi City County Government has stated that it will soon establish a city-owned air quality data management system.
The system will have an open public data access portal alongside an air quality monitoring network to help reduce air pollution and safeguard public health.
In the communication dated April 27, City Hall noted that it will make it a pioneer initiative in the country and the region.
This comes after a successful validation meeting that endorsed the Breathe Nairobi Strategy paving the way for its implementation in the City County.
The county stated that the Breathe Nairobi Strategy highlights ambitious priorities for the project and how it will be implemented.
It said the priority areas include equipping the city with its air quality monitoring network and air quality management system, development and enactment of Nairobi Air Quality regulations, capacity building training, procurement and deployment of comprehensive low-cost sensor Air Quality monitoring network and data and research among others.
Addressing the said meeting, Nairobi City County Executive Committee Member for Green Nairobi Ibrahim Auma acknowledged that the adverse impacts of air pollution on health, environment, society and economy could not be overstated, thus necessitating a well-thought-out plan to address air pollution.
"Breathe Nairobi initiative stands as a unique and timely project, positioning the City County Government as a leader in its implementation," Auma said.
"We believe this initiative will have a profound impact on enhancing the air quality in our city. It underscores our conviction that placing Nairobi at the forefront of implementation is a more sustainable approach to combating air pollution."
Auma added that the county is dedicated to engaging robustly with the community and residents to enhance air quality.
He said Governor Johnson Sakaja's administration is committed to developing and enacting Air Quality regulations and adopting an Air Quality Action Plan.
According to the county Executive, the establishment of Air Quality Regulations and a cabinet-approved Air Quality Plan will lay the foundation for sustainable Air Quality programmes.
He pointed out that such frameworks will ensure that County endeavours to improve air quality are integrated into the city's structures and financial systems, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Auma expressed his gratitude to the World Resources Institute, UNEP, Stockholm Environment Institute -Africa, Environmental Compliance Institute, Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities, and Bloomberg Philanthropies among other partners for the instrumental role they have played in supporting the county towards improving air quality.