Air pollution,City pollution Stories

Cooking smoke linked to 26,000 deaths in Kenya every year - report
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 22, 2025

The report highlights that Kenya records more than one million Disability-Adjusted-Life-Years (DALYs) every year as a result of diseases connected to...

Over 600 air monitors deployed as Africa’s pollution fight gains ground
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 17, 2025

The Breathe Cities Nairobi initiative, launched in September 2024, aims to cut air pollution by 30 per cent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. Nairobi i...

Nairobi’s air pollution fuelling surge in children’s lung disease, experts warn
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 17, 2025

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 600,000 children under 15 years die every year due to respiratory infections linked to air pollution...

Vehicle emissions, burning hospital waste now Africa’s biggest air pollution threats, experts warn
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 16, 2025

According to Mwaniki, Nairobi is also struggling with another major source of air pollution- the open burning of hospital waste. He said the practice...

Africa’s freshwater ecosystems depend on little creatures like insects and snails: Study maps overlooked species
Martin Kinyanjui  |  Jul 13, 2025

Ignoring macroinvertebrates is ignoring the silent custodians of biodiversity and the very foundation of healthy freshwater ecosystems.

Kenya leads Indian Ocean oil spill drill to boost regional marine emergency readiness
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jul 08, 2025

The exercise tests the ability of state and non-state actors to respond to maritime disasters using a unified command system. Officials say the goal i...

Our oceans are in trouble: how to move beyond the outrage and start taking real action
The Conversation  |  Jun 27, 2025

Habitat loss through coastal development threatens many coastal ecosystems, including estuaries and mangroves, which are vital nurseries for many fish...

Thousands join plastic pollution fight as Diani Beach festival kicks off in Kwale
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jun 10, 2025

The initiative brings together more than 60 partners, including governmental and non-governmental organisations, for a series of workshops, exhibition...

Coast hoteliers urge tougher anti-pollution measures to protect marine life and boost tourism
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jun 10, 2025

The industry stakeholders voiced concerns over the persistent dumping of waste, including disposable diapers, plastic bottles, and microplastics along...

Nairobi leads in plastic waste despite single-use papers ban as report shows alarming pollution levels
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jun 10, 2025

Nairobi accounts for a third of all non-recyclable waste in Kenya, with the city’s urban areas producing nearly 30 per cent of daily plastic garbage,...

Ethiopian parliament passes Bill banning single-use plastic bags
XINHUA  |  Jun 05, 2025

According to data obtained from the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, plastic bags constitute 46 per cent of the plastic waste generated b...

City residents living along Nairobi River assured of new homes, not evictions under revitalisation plan
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 28, 2025

Mumo Musuva, the vice-chairman of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, made it clear that the project would not result in the displacement of local resident...

Nairobi County cracks down on CBD shops over noise pollution
Lucy Mumbi  |  Apr 09, 2025

Mosiria emphasised the importance of maintaining a quiet and conducive environment, particularly in an area that is home to learning institutions and...

Uganda’s boda boda bikes are deadly polluters: Study models how going electric could save lives
The Conversation  |  Apr 09, 2025

Air pollution is the second leading cause of death worldwide, causing over 1 million premature deaths each year in Africa. Over 30,000 of these deaths...

NEMA closes factories in Nairobi, Samburu and Kilifi over pollution concerns
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 08, 2025

NEMA stressed the importance of complying with environmental regulations to safeguard the environment while conducting industrial activities.

Duale admits Nairobi River cleanup tougher than expected
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Feb 27, 2025

The CS pointed out that the government initially underestimated the challenge.

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...

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