Client: Kenya’s Ministries of Environment and Health, under the Africa ChemObs project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Emerald Environment Ltd provided technical assistance under the Africa ChemObs project, implemented by Kenya’s Ministries of Environment and Health. As part of the assignment, Emerald piloted the PAN UK Chemical Risk and Vulnerability Calculator to prioritize contaminated sites for remediation based on relative human health and environmental risks.
The assessment covered 31 contaminated sites across four high-risk sectors: municipal dumpsites, lead-acid battery recycling, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), and light industries (Jua Kali and scrap metal recycling).
Key Findings
- Kenya had an estimated 70,736 workers directly employed in chemical-related industries (2019), with millions more potentially exposed through agriculture, manufacturing, contaminated air, water, and soil.
- Five sites were identified as posing significant risks of lead poisoning, with three classified as very high risk: Kayole Informal Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Area, AP Lead Acid Battery Recycling Company, and Dandora Municipal Dumpsite.
- Among six municipal dumpsites assessed, Dandora recorded the highest human health risk, followed by Kerugoya, Gioto (Nakuru), Voi, Bungoma, and Nyeri.
- The study also identified persistent risks from Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Although decommissioned, the Kitengela obsolete chemicals storage site remained highly vulnerable, with exposure modelling estimating 1,628 attributable cancer cases among the surrounding population if left unaddressed.
Outcome
The findings provided an evidence base for prioritizing remediation, strengthening chemical safety governance, and directing investments towards Kenya’s highest-risk contaminated sites.