On tour around Nairobi and other urban centres in Kenya, one would easily come across schools, hospitals, or even private homes with roofs that appear ordinary, though somewhat weathered, yet still holding strong.

Beneath these otherwise strong roofs, however, lurks a danger that is neither visible to the ordinary eye nor immediate, but one that research shows has fatal consequences: asbestos.

This week, Aden Duale, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, directed that all buildings in Kenya should be stripped of asbestos roofing materials in the next three months, a move that aims at taking a firm stance against asbestos—a silent killer.

In his maiden visit to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) since taking office, Duale ordered the removal of asbestos roofs from all buildings within three months, citing health risks. The Environment CS warned of potential prosecutions for non-compliance.

Asbestos, a roofing material that was once lauded for its durability and resistance to heat, has been scientifically proven to harbour elements that trigger several forms of cancer such as mesothelioma, cancer of the lungs as well as laryngeal cancer.

For years, asbestos became was the material of choice for roofing of public institutions such as hospitals, schools, universities and even private homes.

Disposal of asbestos

Unfortunately, the same qualities that made the material a favourite for builders have since been turned to threaten millions of lives.

"When left intact and undisturbed, asbestos materials do not pose a health risk. It becomes a problem when, due to damage, disturbance, or deterioration over time, the material releases fibres into the air," a 2013 paper by NEMA titled National Guidelines On Safe Management And Disposal Of Asbestos, states.

For example, mesothelioma, which is a tumour of tissue that mainly lines the lungs, stomach, the heart and other vital organs, is almost exclusively linked to one's exposure to asbestos.

Studies show that when asbestos' microscopic fibres are disturbed, they turn airborne, meaning that humans can inhale them easily.

Once in one's body system, research shows that these fibres attach themselves on the lining of vital organs, overtime causing inflammation and scarring that slowly manifests as malignant tumours.

Asbestos-related diseases

Once infected, one may take decades before symptoms come out because the latency period for asbestos-related diseases is very long.

GLOBOCAN, a database that offers global cancer statistics in over 185 countries shows that Kenya reported over 42,100 new cases of cancer in 2020. In the same year, a total of 27,097 lives were lost in cancer-related illnesses in Kenya as well.

Cancer-related diseases now account for the third leading cause of death after infectious diseases and heart-related complications in the country. Yet, despite a 2006 ban on the use of asbestos roofing materials because of their carcinogenic effect, a huge number of buildings continue to shelter unsuspecting people using asbestos roofs.

"NEMA must enforce the law to ensure the environment is protected and safeguarded. All facilities in the 47 counties must be brought under compliance," the CS stated.

In a study, titled "Determination of asbestos hazards exposure among maintenance workers in public universities in Kenya," published by the East African Medical Journal, James Mithanga, a doctoral candidate at JKUAT established that maintenance workers in several universities in Kenya are exposed to disturbing levels of asbestos fibres and dust.

His research also found that authorities in Kenyan universities have been slow in highlighting the risks and dangers of asbestos even though Kenya banned the material nearly 20 years ago.

“Even though recommendations have been made to replace the ageing asbestos and other asbestos-containing materials, there is lack of funds and general unwillingness to replace or to dispose of them,” the study states in part.

Mithanga undertook his research in several centres of higher learnings in Kenya including Kenyatta, Machakos, Maseno, Technical Mombasa, Embu, Egerton, Jomo Kenyatta, the  University of Nairobi, Laikipia, Pwani, Masinde Muliro, Technical Kenya, Murang’a, Kisii, and Kirinyaga universities.

While Duale has ordered the stripping of asbestos materials from all buildings in Kenya, it remains unclear how the public will go about disposing of this hazardous material.

In April this year, the Africa Edition of the Universities World News reported that only Egerton and Daystar have taken measures to renovate their buildings, replacings asbestos with safe iron roofing materials.

Daystar is the oldest private university in Kenya while Egerton University, established in 1939, is arguably one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the country.

According to NEMA, one needs to observe specific safety measures in removing asbestos from their buildings. Some of these measures include wearing appropriate gear, avoiding breakages of the material, and securing the building from unauthorised access.

Once removed, NEMA advises that asbestos materials must not be reused, recovered, recycled, or taken back to the market for sale. Currently, the most appropriate disposal method is through taking the materials to a licensed asbestos landfill.

However, a UK-based organisation Mesothelioma that supports people with asbestos cancer has published a report showing that asbestos can be recycled into silicate glass, a key input for the manufacture of ceramics and stoneware.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that asbestos is a hazardous material to humans because it causes cancer of the lung, larynx and ovaries, as well as mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the linings of vital organs.

Globally, WHO estimates that 125 million people are exposed to asbestos in their workplace and nearly half of the deaths recorded from occupational cancer are closely linked to  asbestos exposure.

If implemented, Duale's directive could go a long way in stemming cancer related deaths in Kenya while fostering a safe and healthier environment for millions of workers for generations to come.

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