Nairobi City County flagged off 50 air quality sensors that will deliver real-time and hyper-local data in an event presided over by Maureen Njeri, Green Nairobi, County Executive Committee Member.
“This is a cornerstone of our ambitious Breathe Nairobi program and it signifies far more than just the installation of devices.This is about equipping our city with the power of real-time knowledge needed to safeguard the health of every single resident and to shape a truly sustainable future for generations to come,” stated Njeri.
The program, supported by Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities and Bloomberg Philanthropies is part of the county’s broader strategy to combat air pollution in the city.
According to a 2024 report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an estimated 268 deaths in Nairobi each year are linked to air pollution.Data from the sensors will enable identification of pollution hotspots, informing and crafting life-saving policies based on concrete evidence and empowering communities with needed information to advocate for their own health and well-being.
Environment Chief Officer,Geofrey Mosiria noted that clean air is a human right, yet air pollution remains an invisible crisis.He emphasized on the impact of air pollution on children’s development and the health of adults, especially among the vulnerable population in informal settlements.
Dr Victor Indasi,Breathe Cities Lead in Kenya acknowledged the event as a major milestone.“The occasion today is both fulfilling and inspiring, as we witness this important milestone just about 10 months after the official launch of the Breathe Cities initiative in Nairobi.”
“The deployment of the Nairobi City-Owned Air Quality Monitoring Network signals a new chapter in our collective efforts to tackle air pollution.We look forward to the effective use of this network to inform both policy and the public, ushering in a new era of data-driven air quality management for our city,” noted Indasi.
