Doubt it no more, pollution is a lethal silent killer

Last week, we buried our grandmother Mwaitu Annah Mukonyo Kimanthi. She was born in 1904. During her lifetime, she experienced two global pandemics, two World Wars and countless other milestones. Tragically, dozens of other Kenyans are being denied the possibility of such a long life, not because of a bullet, road accident or cancer, but by the very air they breathe.

According to the World Health Organisation, air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year. Kenya lost 18,000 people in 2019. For hundreds of residents from Nairobi, Machakos and other urban counties, these statistics represent actual family members, friends, neighbors or colleagues who have either fallen sick or died due to grave air pollution from industries.