Parliament pushes for urgent removal of asbestos roofs

The National Assembly Public Petitions Committee has called for urgent action to phase out asbestos roofing across the country, citing serious health risks despite a ban imposed nearly 20 years ago.

The call follows a petition by Wajir North MP Ibrahim Abdi, tabled in Parliament on September 28, 2023. The petition raised concern over the continued use of asbestos in public buildings such as schools, hospitals, dispensaries, and police stations, many of which were built with donor support.

The petitioners warned that exposure to asbestos, a known carcinogen, causes life-threatening diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses. Abdi noted that 55 countries, including the USA, New Zealand, and Australia, have already outlawed asbestos use. He added that although Kenya banned asbestos roofing in 2006, the material is still widely in use.

Appearing before the Committee, Abdi proposed that specialized agencies such as the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Ministry of Health handle removal to ensure safe disposal. He suggested that funds from the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and development partners be used to replace asbestos with safer roofing materials.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale told the Committee that NEMA had already conducted surveys in 19 counties and issued removal guidelines. However, he admitted that asbestos roofs still exist in many facilities because replacement has been slow. He warned that deteriorating asbestos sheets release fibres into the air, contaminating soil and water and endangering communities.

In its report, the Committee noted that despite awareness campaigns and existing regulations, removal of asbestos has been too slow. It observed that schools, hospitals, churches, and homes continue to expose Kenyans to dangerous fibres, undermining their constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment.

The Committee recommended that within six months, NEMA should identify asbestos-roofed buildings in the remaining 28 counties and develop a national disposal plan in line with the 2011 asbestos management guidelines. It also directed the Ministry of Health to conduct medical surveys in affected areas to assess health impacts and provide necessary treatment.

Further, the Committee urged that all asbestos roofing in public institutions be removed within one year, with NEMA supervising the process.