Report: Air pollution is a bigger threat to Kenyans than HIVAIDS

Research on global air quality has revealed that the average person in Kenya could gain one year and one month of life expectancy if air pollution levels were reduced to meet World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

The latest rankings from the Air Quality Life Index show that Kenya is among moderately polluted countries, where air pollution shortens life expectancy by an average of 13 months.

Currently, air pollution levels in Kenya are 3.2 times higher than the WHO guidelines and 0.7 times higher than the global average.

While data shows that pollution has decreased in some parts of the country, it has risen in many others.

In Kisumu, which is ranked among the most polluted regions, residents could live two years longer if pollution met WHO standards. In Nairobi, the average person could live 1.2 years longer under the same conditions.

Between 1998 and 2003, air pollution rose significantly in Kirinyaga, Kisumu, Nairobi, Murang'a, and Nyeri, while Uasin Gishu, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, and Mandera recorded the smallest increases.

Globally, projections from the Air Quality Life Index suggest that the average person could gain two years and eight months of life expectancy if air pollution levels were brought in line with WHO guidelines.

The report also reveals that more than 99 per cent of the world's air fails to meet WHO standards.

It further notes that air pollution is now claiming more lives through related complications than well-known killers such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, or unsafe drinking water.

The toll on life expectancy is more than four times that of alcohol use, five times that of transport injuries or unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing, and more than six times that of HIV/AIDS.

Kenya ranks 67th globally, while India and Bangladesh top the list as the world's most polluted countries.

The report highlights that inadequate funding remains a major barrier preventing Sub-Saharan Africa from making progress in addressing air pollution.