The Kenya Chemical Society (KCS) has challenged the government to strictly adhere to the recommended procedures for disposing of asbestos following a three-month ultimatum by the environment cabinet secretary, Aden Duale.
According to the KCS Western Kenya Chapter Chairman, Professor Fredrick Keng’ara, the process of asbestos removal from roofs must be done in a way that does not endanger the citizens’ lives.
Speaking during the KCS’ 11th International conference at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo Friday, Keng’ara warned that unless strict adherence to the disposal procedures was upheld, the country risks creating a health problem by contaminating other areas.
“As KCS, we want to know where the waste will be disposed. Are we going to create a new problem by contaminating other areas?” posed the chairman.
Keng’ara, a professor at Bomet University College, further urged the cabinet secretary to tell Kenyans whether the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), to which he has assigned the task of ensuring the removal of asbestos from the roofs, has sufficient budget to carry out the task.
He said that though Kenya banned the use of asbestos in 2006, removal of the material from the roofs has been a herculean task because of the cost involved.
“NEMA gave protocols to be used. To date, so many years down the line, this has not happened because the protocol places the cost of carrying out the task of removal and disposal on the owner of the building,” said the chairman.
Keng’ara, who was flanked by senior KCS officials, said the removal of asbestos from the roofs should be a starting point after which the government should also target other products made of asbestos.
He said products such as brake pads that are made of the material are always disposed of haphazardly, hence exposing the public to risks.
KCS member, Joseck Alwala from Kibabii University called on the government to integrate waste management into the country’s education curriculum right from the kindergarten.
Alwala said this will help inculcate the culture of proper waste disposal into Kenyans’ minds right from childhood.
He further urged the government to work hand in hand with the Kenya Chemical Society, which has scientists that could help it unlock the waste management menace.
By Philip Onyango
