CLEAN-Air(Africa) partners with Kenya National Public Health Institute to combat air pollution

KENYA—To address the urgent public health issue of air pollution in Kenya, CLEAN-Air (Africa) has teamed with the Kenya National Public Health Institute (NPHI Kenya).

The partnership was formally declared by Dr. James Mwitari, the Director of the University Of Liverpool Air Pollution Centre Of Excellence and the Co-Director of CLEAN-Air (Africa) at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

The declaration came after the first meeting with NPHI’s Acting Director General, Dr. Maureen Kamene Kimenye.

This partnership marks a significant step in positioning Kenya’s Ministry of Health as a key player in the global effort to promote environmental health research and policy.

Through this collaboration, CLEAN-Air (Africa) aims to work closely with the Ministry to advocate for environmental justice, particularly in addressing the environmental determinants of health.

As part of the agreement, the two organisations have agreed to improve air pollution surveillance in Kenya. This will involve using the extensive laboratory capabilities of the Air Pollution Centre of Excellence to assist in benchmarking air quality.

Through concentrating on air quality monitoring, the alliance aims to provide a strong foundation for comprehending the degree of air pollution and its effects on public health.

Additionally, the partnership will entail creating effective evidence to support policies and health interventions targeted at lowering the burden of diseases linked to air pollution, as well as establishing strategic solutions to mitigate air pollution and its associated health hazards.

In addition to focussing on health, the collaboration also addresses other important Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as those pertaining to gender equality, education, health, environmental preservation, and climate action.

The partners hope to tackle air pollution and its wide range of affects by incorporating these aims into their policy initiatives.

In their statement, CLEAN-Air (Africa) expressed their enthusiasm for this new partnership, highlighting their eagerness to work closely with the Kenyan government.

 They emphasized that the research conducted at the Air Pollution Centre of Excellence will provide critical, policy-relevant evidence that will benefit all Kenyans.

By leveraging the expertise of CLEAN-Air (Africa) and its partners, the collaboration aims to drive impactful research, foster knowledge sharing, and ultimately improve the health and well-being of not only Kenyans but also the broader sub-Saharan African region.

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