Nairobi has taken a major step toward cleaner air by launching its first city-owned air quality monitoring network. The initiative, part of the Breathe Cities Nairobi program, aims to tackle dangerous pollution levels.
The move comes as air pollution worsens. In 2019, it caused 2,500 premature deaths in the city, according to the Health Effects Institute. By 2023, pollution levels were four times higher than WHO safety limits.
To combat this, Nairobi City County has installed 50 air quality sensors. These devices will provide real-time data to identify pollution hotspots. The findings will guide policies on traffic, urban planning, and emissions control.
Chief Officer for Environment Geofrey Mosiria, speaking for Governor Johnson Sakaja, said the city is committed to cleaner air. He called it a vital investment in public health and Nairobi’s future.
Seneca Naidoo of C40 Cities praised Nairobi’s progress. He noted the expanded sensor network is now one of Africa’s largest. Reliable data, he said, is key to shaping policies that protect health and fight climate change.
Lucile Brethes of Breathe Cities called clean air a human right. She said Nairobi’s network will help track pollution, inform policies, and safeguard residents. The initiative also supports African cities in leading their own clean air efforts.
The data will shape Nairobi’s Air Quality Regulations and Action Plan. This is critical, as over 150,000 people were treated for pollution-linked respiratory illnesses in 2023, per Kenya’s Health Ministry.
