Clean air for blue skies is a concerted effort, say environmentalists

Nakuru,

Thursday September 7, 2023

KNA Anne Sabuni

Environmentalists have called for concerted efforts to minimise air emissions for quality lives even as studies cited lorries and motorcycles as the major pollutants of air in Nakuru City.

The environmentalists have noted that the quality of air contributed a great deal to city residents’ health and well-being, calling for public awareness to increase adoption of best environmental practices, for quality air and blue skies.

The study conducted in Nakuru County between 2018 and 2022 revealed that lorries were the highest contributor to air pollution in the county at 22 percent, with 82 percent of its residents willing to learn how best to reduce emissions into the air.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the fourth International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in Nakuru, Otieno Opiyo- a research fellow with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) - noted that air quality determined the residents’ health and well-being, noting the need to increase more green spaces for lower stress levels.

Opiyo noted that the findings of the study were meant to create awareness amongst various stakeholders in a bid to help them use data on air quality in decision making, while seeking to link air quality to climate change action plans.

Nakuru County’s Director for Environment Grace Karanja, noted that the county was working on a framework that will increase more open green spaces for carbon sinking while reducing motorists entering the city.

“We are encouraging non-motorised and green energy transport being an initiative meant to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases for a cleaner and energy efficient city,” noted Ms Karanja.

Nakuru Business Association Chair, Wilson Gitu, noted the deteriorating quality of air as a result of rapid urbanisation, calling for more investment in cleaner technologies in manufacturing.

“Most investors in Nakuru have invested heavily in solarization as an alternative source of power away from the traditional generators, with proposals underway for use of waste in combustion for numerous heaters being employed by manufacturers,” noted Gitu.

Nakuru County Director for Meteorological Services, Julius Kiama, regretted that the pollution was high, with areas of Njoro, Molo, Rongai and Subukia also at high risk, as the county served as a major transport corridor.

“We are calling on everybody to join hands in ensuring clean air as pollution has been cited as a high contributor of climate change as well as respiratory and dermatological conditions ,” added Kiama.

Courtesy; KNA