The Silent Threat: Air Pollution From Kiamaiko Slaughterhouses in Kenya

As I make my way through the busy streets of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, the distant sound of bleating goats grows louder. Trucks and lorries arrive in succession, each transporting a load of goats destined for slaughter. The animals, alert and restless, are guided off the vehicles into holding areas. The air around carries more than the sounds of bustling markets and neighborhood life. It hangs heavy with the residue of organic decay, producing a nauseating stench especially pronounced after the recent rains, which acted as a catalyst for the production of this pervasive odor. Solid waste from condemned meat, skins, and fecal matter mingles with liquid effluents—blood and bodily fluids—that flow untreated into the Nairobi River. One worker, unable to escape the onslaught of pollutants, involuntarily spat at the doorstep, a gut reminder of the toll exacted by this silent threat. 

Ali Mohammed, the seasoned worker at one of Kiamaiko’s slaughterhouses for the past 15 years, has grown accustomed to these odors. Over the years he has suffered from persistent headaches and recurring colds that he once attributed to mere occupational hazards. It never occurred to him that these ailments could be linked to the very air he breathes day in and day out. “It’s just part of the job,” Ali says in a weary tone. “After all, everyone around me complains of the same symptoms. We all get these things from time to time. This is our source of income. You learn to live with it,” he asserts.

Dr. Paul Njogu, Chair of the N-AIR Research and Data Committee, underscores the long-term respiratory health effects of prolonged exposure to these pollutants from the slaughterhouses on both workers and nearby residents. He stresses the importance of proper ventilation systems to ensure adequate air exchange and dilution of gases within the facility. Regular maintenance and cleaning of holding areas, waste disposal sites, and sewer systems are essential measures to minimize the buildup of organic matter and subsequent gas emissions.

Read the full story.

This story was produced with support from Internews' Earth Journalism Network. It was first published in KBC Digital on May 21, 2024. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Banner image: Herds of goats being guided off the vehicles at the goat market site in Kiamaiko / Credit: Soila Arasha.