The sensors will provide real-time air pollution data where installed.Photo courtesy
Nairobi is set to enhance its air quality management with the launch of its first-ever city-owned air quality monitoring network.
The official flagging-off event will take place on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, led by Governor Johnson Sakaja.
This initiative underscores the county government’s commitment to improving air quality for all residents.
The launch will not only mark a major milestone in Nairobi’s environmental health agenda but also enable the city to join a growing group of global urban centers using science and data to tackle air pollution effectively.
The initiative comes as a critical response to Nairobi’s worsening air pollution crisis.
The city has experienced a significant decline in air quality over recent years, impacting public health.
In 2019, air pollution was linked to approximately 2,500 premature deaths within the city.
More recent measurements from 2023 showed that levels of harmful fine particles (PM2.5) were on average four times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.
These concerning figures highlight an urgent need for data-driven solutions to protect vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
The new network consists of 50 city-owned air quality sensors.
These sensors will be deployed across Nairobi, covering key areas from the densely populated Mathare informal settlement to the industrial zone of Pipeline.
This strategic placement aims to provide a comprehensive picture of air quality across the city’s diverse environments.
These sensors will provide real-time air pollution data.
This data will enable officials to track pollution hotspots more accurately, develop informed policies, and implement targeted interventions to improve public health outcomes.
The real-time nature of the data will also allow for timely public health advisories during periods of high pollution.
The deployment is part of the broader Breathe Cities Nairobi initiative.
This local program operates under the global Breathe Cities effort, a collaboration by Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Breathe Cities aims to reduce air pollution by 30% in participating cities by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.
This global target is expected to contribute to significant health and environmental benefits for urban populations worldwide.
Nairobi’s participation aligns the city with international best practices in air quality management.
Beyond the physical deployment of sensors, the county is working on developing robust air quality regulations and a comprehensive action plan.
This regulatory framework is receiving substantial technical assistance from the Breathe Cities initiative, leveraging international expertise.
The aim is to standardize and strengthen pollution reduction efforts across various sectors.
These include crucial areas such as transport, waste management, industrial emissions, residential housing, and energy consumption.
The Nairobi City County Air Quality Act of 2022 already provides a legislative foundation for addressing pollution.
The new regulations will build upon this existing framework, ensuring that preventive measures are not only mandated but also effectively enforced.
This integrated approach, combining advanced monitoring with strong policy, represents a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and healthier urban environment for all Nairobi residents.
The network’s data will be crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of these new policies and making adjustments as needed.
About Breathe Cities and Clean Air Fund
Breathe Cities is a global initiative aiming to reduce air pollution and improve public health in cities worldwide.
It is a joint effort by Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
The program supports cities in developing and implementing data-driven strategies to achieve cleaner air, with a specific goal of reducing air pollution by 30% in participating cities by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.
The Clean Air Fund is a philanthropic organization working to tackle air pollution.
It provides grants and expertise to organizations and governments globally to accelerate progress on air quality.
Its work focuses on supporting science, policy, and advocacy efforts to achieve cleaner air for everyone.
