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Nairobi has made progress in air quality management in recent years, and today’s announcement of Nairobi’s first-ever city-owned air quality monitoring network marks yet another milestone in the city’s efforts to combat air pollution. With 50 new air quality sensors now set to be operational, Nairobi will be better equipped to track pollution hotspots, inform policies, and protect public health through data-driven interventions.
Air pollution was linked to approximately 2,500 premature deaths in Nairobi in 2019 — a stark reminder of its deadly impact. In 2023, average levels of harmful fine particles (PM2.5) in the city’s air were four times higher than what the World Health Organization recommends, signaling that something must be done to protect the city’s inhabitants, especially the most vulnerable populations. With the deployment of first-of-its-kind, self-owned and operated sensors providing critical real-time data, local leaders will be better positioned to take swift, evidence-based action to combat pollution and safeguard public health.
This air quality monitoring network deployment is a core part of the Breathe Cities Nairobi initiative. Breathe Cities is a global effort by the Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities, and Bloomberg Philanthropies aimed at improving public health by reducing air pollution in cities. The initiative seeks to cut air pollution by 30% across participating cities by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. Nairobi is one of 14 cities worldwide currently benefiting from this ambitious and transformative programme. In addition to the new monitoring network, Breathe Nairobi is supporting city officials with technical assistance to develop Nairobi City County air quality regulations and an air quality action plan to further standardise pollution reduction efforts.
Governor Johnson Sakaja will be the chief guest at a ‘flagging off’ ceremony in Nairobi. Governor Sakaja’s attendance at this event continues to demonstrate his government’s commitment to greatly improving air quality in Nairobi for all its residents and visitors.
This milestone marks a turning point in our commitment to improving air quality management. By deploying a city-owned air quality monitoring network, we are taking bold, practical steps to ensure that every Nairobi resident has access to cleaner, safer air. This is a vital investment in the well-being of our people and the future of our city.
Johnson Sakaja
Governor of Nairobi
According to Dr. Victor Indasi, Breathe Cities Lead, Kenya at Clean Air Fund: “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.”
County Executive Committee Member for Green Nairobi, Maureen Njeri affirmed that the Nairobi City County government—particularly the Green Sector, which she leads—is fully committed to effectively utilising the city-owned air quality monitoring network. This network will augment ongoing initiatives within her sector aimed at improving air quality across Nairobi, enabling more targeted actions, informed decision-making, and greater accountability in the city’s pursuit of cleaner, healthier air for all residents.
“In Nairobi, air pollution was linked to approximately 2,500 premature deaths in 2019, so it is crucial to ramp up measures to address this urgent issue. Our research estimates that clean air interventions could unlock $192m in economic benefits for the city by 2040. Breathe Cities is working alongside local leaders to improve public health by ensuring clean air for all. The deployment of 50 new air quality sensors in Nairobi continues Breathe Cities’ efforts in Africa, where we have helped to install over 60 sensors in Accra, Ghana and supported youth-led initiatives to advocate for the air quality agenda in Johannesburg, South Africa,” said Jane Burston, CEO of the Clean Air Fund.
“I’m thrilled that Nairobi, under the leadership of Governor Sakaja, has successfully deployed air quality monitors to better track pollution hotspots. Improved air quality in African cities begins with knowledge and data – through locally-owned sensor networks, cities have greater capacity to secure a healthy and sustainable future for residents,” said Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities.