Nairobi County government has issued a health advisory for residents and commuters, warning that the air near the fire station in the Central Business District (CBD) is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Residents entering the area have been advised to wear masks, while vehicle owners are encouraged to turn off their engines when parked to help reduce emissions.
Speaking on the state of Nairobi’s air quality, Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, said that while most areas in the city currently have clean air, pollution in the CBD remains a concern.
“There is a lot of pollution going on in CBD, especially around the fire station area, and our website is showing that the air is unhealthy, so when you are in CBD, please make sure that you wear a mask,” Mosiria stated.
“This pollution around CBD is happening because of vehicles, and I would like to urge vehicle owners in CBD to ensure that they switch off their engines when they park so that we can reduce pollution from cars within CBD.”
Mosiria Orders Drivers in Nairobi CBD to Turn Off Parked Cars
Mosiria highlighted that other parts of the city, including Dandora Phase 1, Embakasi West, Buruburu Phase 1, Bahati, Mamlaka Road, Riruta, South Dagoreti, Kawangware, and Gigiri, have clean air, allowing residents to move about without wearing masks.
He further mentioned that some areas have moderate air quality, which is generally safe but requires caution for individuals with asthma and those with respiratory conditions.
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Mosiria urged Nairobi residents to reduce pollution by avoiding smoking, burning waste, and ensuring that factories treat their emissions.
“Nairobians, I am asking you to stop the pollution happening in the city. Don’t smoke, don’t burn waste. If you have a factory, ensure the air released is treated,” he said.
He also called for proper waste disposal and an end to illegal dumping, which contributes to poor air quality and blocked drainage systems.
“Avoid illegal dumping, because it pollutes the air. Those blocking drainage with waste also cause pollution. People in Eastleigh who throw garbage outside their houses or onto the streets worsen the problem,” he added.
Residents are encouraged to take waste to Dandora through authorized Public Service Providers (PSPs).
The county has pledged to cancel the licenses of PSPs found to be dumping illegally.
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Mosiria noted the ongoing efforts by Nairobi County to clear illegal dumping sites, including Taj Mahal, Huruma Flats, and Westlands, and emphasized that community cooperation is crucial to maintaining clean air.
“Each one of us has a role. If you manage waste properly, Nairobi will be a clean city. We are working hard to restore the lawful land of Nairobi County,” he said.
In August, Nairobi was ranked the second most air-polluted city in the world by IQAir, trailing only Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The report highlighted vehicle emissions, industrial operations, and open burning of waste as the main contributors to the city’s deteriorating air quality.
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