In a bold move to address public health concerns, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Aden Duale, directed the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to map out all facilities with asbestos roofing nationwide for immediate removal. The facilities, including schools and private establishments, have been given three months to comply.
During his inaugural visit to NEMA headquarters on Wednesday, CS Duale emphasized the health risks posed by asbestos, which is known to cause serious lung diseases such as asbestosis and cancer. “We cannot afford to ignore the dangers of asbestos exposure. Public health must come first,” he stated.
The directive follows growing concerns about the safety of asbestos, particularly in the construction sector, where most occupational exposures occur during the repair, renovation, removal, or maintenance of asbestos-containing materials.
NEMA Director General Mamo Mamo confirmed that the agency had already written to key ministries, including Defence, Internal Security, Education, and Health, to audit facilities with asbestos roofing.
Asbestos, a group of six fibrous minerals, was a popular construction material in the 1960s and 1970s due to its durability and fire-resistant properties. However, its use has since been linked to severe health issues, leading to its ban in many countries.
“We have written to the ministries of Defence, Internal Security, Education, and Health to undertake an audit of all the facilities that have asbestos roofing,” Mamo said.
Kenya, which once mined asbestos, has not used the material in construction for years. NEMA first developed national guidelines on the safe management and disposal of asbestos in 2011, which were later revised in 2013.
These guidelines require waste generators to secure the site during asbestos removal and ensure that the material is wet before handling to prevent the release of hazardous fibers.
Duale also highlighted the need for NEMA to enhance its revenue collection to support its operations and ensure optimal services to the public. He further urged the Authority to enforce environmental laws and bring all facilities in the 47 counties under compliance, emphasizing that “NEMA must enforce the law to ensure the environment is protected and safeguarded.”
