MPs demand safe disposal of asbestos across Kenya
The House is expected to debate the committee’s report in the coming days, with MPs pressing for swift action to protect public health.
Kenyans remain at risk from asbestos roofing in public buildings nearly two decades after its use was banned, the National Assembly has warned.
The Public Petitions Committee, led by Muchangi Karemba, called for urgent nationwide removal, stressing the material’s severe health hazards.
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The call follows a petition by Wajir North MP Ibrahim Abdi, presented to the House on September 28, 2023, which highlighted that schools, hospitals, dispensaries, and police stations continue to use asbestos roofs.
“Exposure to asbestos, a known carcinogen, poses serious risks such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses,” Ibrahim said.
He noted that countries including the USA, New Zealand, and Australia have banned asbestos, yet it remains in use in Kenya despite a 2006 prohibition.
Appearing before the committee, Ibrahim emphasised that removal must be managed by specialised bodies like NEMA and the Ministry of Health to ensure safety.
He proposed funding replacements through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund and support from development partners.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Aden Duale, informed the committee that while NEMA has surveyed 19 counties and issued safe removal guidelines, progress has been slow.
He warned that deteriorating asbestos sheets release dangerous fibres into the air, soil, and water, putting entire communities at risk.
The committee’s report to the House noted that public awareness campaigns and existing regulations have not been enough, with schools, hospitals, churches, and homes continuing to expose Kenyans to harmful fibres.
It emphasised that this ongoing threat violates citizens’ constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment.
To address the crisis, the committee directed that within six months, NEMA should map all asbestos-roofed buildings in the remaining 28 counties and create a national disposal plan following the 2011 asbestos management guidelines.
The Ministry of Health was also tasked with conducting medical surveys in affected areas. All asbestos roofing in public institutions must be removed within one year under NEMA supervision.
The House is expected to debate the committee’s report in the coming days, with MPs pressing for swift action to protect public health.
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