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Cancer risk: City MCAs push for removal of asbestos in houses

By LILLIAN MUTAVI February 27th, 2017 1 min read

Members of Nairobi County Assembly want City Hall to replace asbestos roofing in all residential houses.

The MCAs specifically want the roofing of houses built in Eastlands in the 1950’s and 1960’s replaced because of cancer risk associated with asbestos.

The push comes after nominated MCA Caroline Muga requested for a statement by the executive on the delay in disposing asbestos roofing in county houses in Ofafa Jericho, Bahati and Kimathi.

BANNED

Ms Muga said the use of asbestos was banned by the national government in 2006, but the order has never been effected.

“There is concern that cancer cases are on the rise as Kenya spends ten per cent of its budget to treat asbestos-related cancer cases,” said Ms Muga.

The MCA wants the executive to give a report on when it plans to conclude the replacement of asbestos roofing in all county houses within Nairobi.

She also wants to know if technical officers at City Hall are trained on the risks of asbestos poisoning and how to safely dispose of the material as well as safety regulations to be considered while handling asbestos.

ENFORCE BAN

The executive should also give a report on what they are doing to enforce the ban on the use of asbestos in the city.

Apart from residential homes, nearly all markets in the city have asbestos roofing.

County executive in charge of trade and commerce Ann Othoro said that out of 43 markets, only ten are roofed with asbestos and City Hall is in the process of replacing them.