Air pollution refers to the release of pollutants into the air that are detrimental to human health and the environment.

The main sources of air pollution in Kenya include traffic, roadside rubbish fires, road dust, industry and the use of solid fuels such as charcoal and wood to cook in open fires and leaky stoves (indoor air pollution).

The quality of air especially in urban areas in Kenya has been deteriorating at an alarming rate. Air pollution has become an invisible crisis. A recent study carried out by the University of Nairobi and Sweden’s university of Gothenburg suggested that serious illnesses such as heart and lung diseases and certain cancers may be largely linked to air pollution. The amount of cancer-causing elements in the air within the city is 10 times higher than the threshold recommended by the World Health Organization

Kenya is one of the few countries in Africa to have banned cars using the most sulphurous fuels, but what research there is suggests this is still one of the most polluted cities in the world – made worse by smoke from roadside rubbish fires, diesel generators and indoor cooking stoves.

Motor vehicle traffic is an important source of harmful emissions of particulate pollution in cities of the developing world, where economic growth, coupled with a lack of effective transport and land use planning is resulting in increasing vehicle ownership and traffic congestion. These factors combine to create air pollution hotspots near roads.

Kenya lacks the appropriate air quality control policies and standards thus has a long way to go in order to combat the growing hazard.