Nairobi, the vibrant capital of Kenya, is facing a severe air pollution crisis. This crisis poses a profound threat to public health and highlights a stark environmental injustice within the city.
For the majority of Nairobi’s population in informal settlements, the air they breathe is a “slow-acting poison”. Pollution levels consistently exceed global safety standards, impacting the city’s most vulnerable residents.
In 2019, Nairobi’s air pollution was measured at 4.2 times the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. This toxic environment is a public health emergency, linked to an estimated 2,500 premature deaths in the capital that year.
The crisis is fueled by a complex mix of sources, both indoors and out. Within homes, the use of biomass fuels and kerosene for cooking creates dangerously high levels of indoor pollution.
Studies found indoor particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in some Nairobi slums to be a staggering 43 times higher than WHO limits. This is a critical health concern for families living in poorly ventilated dwellings.
Outdoors, the primary culprits include industrial emissions, heavy traffic, and the widespread practice of open waste burning 1. These sources release a noxious cocktail into the city’s atmosphere.
The Dandora dumpsite, which receives over 2,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, constantly smoulders. This releases smoke and carcinogens that blanket nearby residential areas, contributing heavily to the problem.
The health consequences are devastating for Nairobians. Clinics have reported a tripling of respiratory cases in five years, and lung cancer rates have surged by 25% in a decade.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Nairobi City County Government and national agencies have begun to shift towards concrete action. Kenya has a legal framework, but enforcement has been inconsistent.
The Nairobi City County Air Quality Policy and Bill were adopted in 2021. These frameworks aim to integrate air quality management across all sectors and guide decision-making.
More recently, the city has made significant strides in monitoring. In June 2025, Nairobi launched its first city-owned air quality monitoring network.
This network deploys 50 sensors to provide real-time data and identify pollution hotspots. This move is crucial for evidence-based policymaking and targeted interventions.
Furthermore, the Nairobi City County Air Quality Action Plan (2025–2029) has been launched 6. This provides a strategic roadmap for pollution reduction over the next five years.
At the national level, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has partnered to launch an Online Emissions Monitoring System. This system is expected to enhance compliance with air quality regulations.
The journey to clean air in Nairobi is far from over. While recent advancements offer hope, the true measure of success will be tangible improvement for the most vulnerable residents.
Turning ambitious plans into breathable air requires sustained political will, rigorous enforcement, and investment in cleaner energy and modern waste management infrastructure. The ongoing efforts signal a critical turning point, but the fight for environmental justice remains a daily reality for millions of Nairobians.
