Air pollution Stories

Sakaja says at least 2,500 people die annually in Nairobi from air pollution
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Feb 20, 2025

According to Clean Air Fund's 2020 State of the Global Air report, more than 5,000 premature deaths in Nairobi are linked to air pollution-related ill...

New regulations to curb noise pollution in Nairobi target matatus, clubs and businesses
Charles Adinda  |  Feb 12, 2025

Bars, clubs, and churches that have been notorious for playing loud music will also face stringent action.

Lamu youths turn Lake Kenyatta into party venue, leave it littered with trash
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jan 24, 2025

More than 60,000 residents of Mpeketoni and its environs rely on Lake Kenyatta to provide water for domestic use.

Nema shuts down Likoni Lane construction site after city residents raise public health concerns
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jan 23, 2025

The directive comes amid ongoing efforts by Nema to regulate construction activities and curb environmental pollution in Nairobi.

NEMA warns against noise pollution during festive season
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Dec 25, 2024

NEMA has committed to monitoring facilities throughout the festive season, a period when noise levels are likely to rise. Inspectors will be deployed...

Waste, industrial effluent continue to choke Nairobi River despite clean-up efforts
Charity Kilei  |  Dec 22, 2024

Many dump their rubbish into open sewers that eventually flow into the Nairobi River, while others burn their waste or throw it directly into the rive...

Uhuru Park: City’s green space that has survived developers' appetite for decades
Barack Oduor  |  Dec 15, 2024

Uhuru is Swahili for freedom, and Uhuru Park embodies freedom in the most unlikely way. 

New regulations seek to hold into account firms whose products pollute rivers
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Dec 07, 2024

The move to hold manufacturers accountable is part of a broader government effort to restore Nairobi's river systems.

COP29 aftermath: Youth call for manageable goals to meet Africa's climate needs
Charity Kilei  |  Dec 06, 2024

Even though Africa contributes little to global emissions, it is already facing severe effects of climate change, like more droughts, floods, and risi...

‘Forever chemicals’ polluting African waters: Lake Victoria, Nairobi River among hotspots
The Conversation  |  Dec 03, 2024

The “forever chemicals” don’t break down easily in the environment. They accumulate in organisms over time, moving up the food chain.

Countries fail to reach agreement in UN plastic talks
Reuters  |  Dec 02, 2024

Countries remained far apart on the basic scope of a treaty and could agree only to postpone key decisions and resume talks.

UN talks on plastics pollution treaty push for breakthrough as deadline looms
Reuters  |  Nov 29, 2024

The petrochemical industry has also been vocal in urging governments to avoid setting mandatory plastic production caps.

Fire-related air pollution claims over 1.5 million lives annually - study
Charity Kilei  |  Nov 28, 2024

The report predicts that these numbers will increase in the coming years due to climate change, which is expected to cause more frequent and severe fo...

Adani bribery allegations shine spotlight on India's clean energy puzzle
Reuters  |  Nov 28, 2024

India's states are unprepared for the rapid rise in renewable generating capacity, lack adequate transmission infrastructure and storage and would rat...

Divisions on curbing plastic waste persist as UN treaty talks begin
Reuters  |  Nov 26, 2024

At COP29, Kenya, France and Barbados floated setting up a series of global levies on certain sectors that could help ramp up the amount of money that...

Duale says Kenya to introduces colour-coded bags for waste segregation
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Nov 13, 2024

The new system also involves specialised material recovery facilities where waste will be sorted into wet and dry categories.

Plastic-eating insect discovered in Kenya
The Conversation  |  Nov 10, 2024

The larvae of the Kenyan lesser mealworm can chew through polystyrene and host bacteria in their guts that help break down the material.

Nairobi County warns of imposters extorting businesses over fake noise pollution fines
Lucy Mumbi  |  Oct 29, 2024

For those who may have been deceived, Mosiria advised filing reports with the nearest police station to initiate investigations.

CS Duale orders nationwide crackdown on pollution including noisy night clubs
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Oct 22, 2024

The multi-agency operation aims to enforce stricter regulations across the country.

City residents: Cleaning Nairobi River before stopping polluters will be futile
Barack Oduor  |  Oct 15, 2024

Teddy Obonyo, who runs a spare parts shop next to the river, laments how the strong unpleasant stench is driving customers away from his business

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