The capital city has launched a five-year air quality plan and Kenya’s first pollution data portal, in a major push to cut emissions and improve public health.
The measures – announced today (28th November) – include the Nairobi City County Air Quality Action Plan (2025-29) and a new air quality data management system, supported by the Breathe Cities initiative.
Together the plans intend to provide policymakers, researchers and locals with a real-time insight into the pollution levels affecting their neighbourhoods.
To give context, air pollution was linked to an estimated 2,500 premature deaths in Nairobi in 2019, while average levels of PM2.5 in 2023 were four times higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
Developed through a wide-ranging consultative process involving civil society groups, community organisations and academics, the plan outlines a five-year roadmap for reducing pollution from transport, industry and waste management.
The new data system is built on a network of 50 air quality sensors installed earlier this year across schools, health facilities and some other key sites. The sensors were deployed with support from Breathe Cities, a global initiative led by the Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities and Bloomberg Philanthropies, which Nairobi joined in 2023.
H.E. governor Sakaja, said: ‘The launch of these two milestones marks a defining moment in Nairobi’s journey toward a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable city. Through strong policies and a transport data system, we are empowering our city to take bold, evidence-based action to reduce air pollution and safeguard the wellbeing of our residents.’
Maureen Njeri, country executive committee member of Green Nairobi, added that the new tools should help embed air quality considerations more firmly in city planning.
‘These initiatives demonstrate our resolve to make air quality management a central part of Nairobi’s development agenda,’ Njeri explained.
‘With an actionable plan and an open data system, we are ensuring that every decision, from transport to waste management, is guided by accurate information and a shared responsibility to protect the health of Nairobians.’
Image: Click Smith | Nick254 Media Ltd/UnSplash
In related news:
Chancellor introduces per-mile EV tax, raising emissions concerns
Leave a Reply