Journalist Mercy Alomba's radio story explores cases of asthma and their links to air pollution in Nairobi, Kenya's capital city. You can find a transcript of the piece below.
Hello dear listener, and welcome to this special report. Today, our reporter Mercy Alomba focuses on a silent killer creeping through our streets: polluted air. For many, especially those living in informal settlements areas, this invisible enemy has severe health impacts. Join her as she sheds light on this crisis affecting the most vulnerable in our city and explores some measures that might bring relief in combating this threat.
Cars moving, engine noises, people chatting...
A woman coughing heavily...
Mercy Alomba: This is the life of Jane, nearly 60, a resident and vendor selling kangas, eggs, baby clothes, and other items by the roadside in Transformer area, Embakasi South constituency, to make a living. She talks about the major challenge she faces, fearing day and night, an unusual cough. For years, her health has been precarious, as she tells me.
Jane: "I used to cough a lot..."
Like many other Kenyans who choose to self-medicate without consulting a doctor, Jane did the same.
Jane: "The doctor examined me..."
Following a doctor’s examination, Jane discovered the cause of her persistent cough, which she explains is often accompanied by chest tightness.
Jane: "I struggle to breathe..."
Jane breathes heavily as she coughs. But how does she manage this condition, considering that to her right, there is a business selling firewood, and to her left, meat is being roasted?
Jane: "I have to close my business first..."
And where do you source the items, you sell?
Jane: "Eastleigh..."
Eastleigh is one of the areas affected by air pollution due to high transportation activities. I accompany Jane to this area, where she carries what she calls her lifeline.
Rustling of plastic as Jane takes her inhaler...
Local matatu stage and sounds of sellers shouting...
Why don’t you use a mask instead of struggling like this?
Jane swears she can never use a mask as it contributes to the blockage of airwaves. After our activities in the market, we return to Jane’s business area, where I want to know how she obtains her medication after she told me she uses three types of inhalers.
She explains she used to go to Magathi hospital, but it became too expensive for her.
I want to know if those living with her are aware of her condition.
Jane: "People discriminate against me..."
Despite the stigma from some of her friends, there are also those who care for her.
Jane’s situation is similar to that of Lily Muthoni, who has lived with the disease for over 26 years.
She explains how she’s lived with asthma. It’s clear that managing this condition requires extra effort, but some have to rely on each other for support.
Alice also struggles with asthma, but sharing inhalers is common for her, unlike Jane and Lily, who insist they cannot share their medication.
Despite this revelation, she tells me the precautions she takes.
Alice: "I sanitize and clean..."
In this situation, I am compelled to speak with a doctor, so I travel to Ruai Family Hospital.
Here, I speak with Dr. Hesbon Maikara, a specialist in respiratory diseases. He begins by explaining asthma and why elderly women are more affected.
We have a short conversation as he outlines asthma causes, access to medical care, and the cost implications of treating an asthma patient. From Dr. Maikara’s explanations, I seek to know if asthma patients are aware of the dangers of sharing inhalers.
Suzzy is a community health promoter from Mukuru kwa Ruben. She tells me they normally have sessions with patients to educate them. Without a doubt, we discuss the critical issue of air pollution and, to understand more, I take the time to speak with an expert in monitoring the air quality we breathe.
Sammy Wafula Simiyu explains the issues contributing to air pollution and who is most affected.
But how do we control air pollution? The doctor has this advice.
Wafula: "We must be responsible and educated."
Listener, more than 330 million people worldwide have asthma, of which four million are Kenyans. Experts warn of the possibility of someone losing their life if they do not receive immediate help when the condition worsens. I hope that everyone will take responsibility to ensure we combat air pollution by following expert guidelines, including tree planting and keeping our environment clean, among other precautions.
This report was brought to you by Ruben FM in collaboration with Earth Journalism Network (EJN).
I have been your producer and narrator, Mercy Alomba.
This story was produced with support from Internews' Earth Journalism Network. It was first published in Swahili on Ruben FM on May 30, 2024. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Banner image: According to IQAir, Nairobi ranks as one of the top 10 major cities in the world for bad air quality / Credit: CDKNetwork via Flickr.
Mercy Alomba
