Despite a government ban that dates back nearly 20 years, asbestos roofing is still sitting atop hundreds of buildings across Kenya and now, Members of Parliament want it gone for good.
In yesterday’s September 23 committee hearing, the lawmakers expressed outrage over the presence of asbestos in schools, hospitals, dispensaries, even police stations institutions that should be helping and not killing people.
Wajir MP Ibrahim Abdi, who brought the issue to Parliament in the form of a public petition on 28th September, referred to the issue as a “ticking time bomb.” The majority of the buildings, he further said, were constructed decades ago with the assistance of foreign donors, when the only material that was applied to roofs was asbestos.
But what was previously considered to be a cheap, durable material is now recognized as highly toxic. Asbestos can, over time, release tiny fibers into the air particles which, when inhaled, can cause conditions like lung cancer, mesothelioma, and respiratory disease that can be fatal.
“Fifty-five nations, including the U.S., New Zealand, and Australia, banned asbestos completely,” Abdi stated. “And here we are, nearly 20 years since we prohibited its use, still exposing people particularly children to this lethal substance.”
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who appeared before lawmakers, confirmed that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has already inspected 19 counties and released guidelines on how to safely evacuate asbestos. But its phasing out has taken long.
“We know the dangers,” Duale told lawmakers. “Weathered-out old asbestos sheets don’t stay on roofs. The fibers are dispersed into the air, the ground, even our water with the risk of exposing entire communities.”
To act as a counter-measure, the committee has now directed NEMA to carry out a national survey, of the remaining 28 counties, and come up with a proper asbestos disposal plan within six months. The plan shall be in accordance with the 2011 national asbestos management guidelines.
They have also directed the Ministry of Health to carry out medical surveys within the affected zones so that the impact on public health can be ascertained and medically intervene if needed.
Most importantly, the committee demands that all the asbestos roofs in government institutions are demolished within twelve months. The coordination and monitoring of the exercise would be handled by NEMA.
While the call to action has finally gained traction in Parliament, now it is the turn of the lawmakers to act.
The committee report is to be tabled for debate within the next few days and for most communities who still live under roofs made of asbestos, time is running out.