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Nairobi launches air quality action plan and portal
For the first time, city leaders and residents in the Kenyan city will have access to hyper-local data about pollution levels in the places they live and work.
At a glance
Who: Nairobi City County in Kenya and Breathe Cities.
What: Nairobi is launching the Nairobi City County Air Quality Action Plan (2025–2029), a strategic roadmap for improving air quality over the next five years, alongside the country’s first city-owned air quality data management system and public portal. The project is supported by the Breathe Cities initiative.
Why: The tools will empower policymakers and residents with real-time data to guide evidence-based action to accelerate clean air action. Air pollution was linked to around 2,500 premature deaths in Nairobi in 2019 ; in 2023, average levels of PM2.5 were four times higher than WHO recommendations.
Where: Across the Nairobi City County region. The air quality data management platform provides access to hyper-local data from the 50 sensors across the city, including in schools, healthcare facilities and other key locations.
The Kenyan capital city of Nairobi is launching an air quality action plan and the country’s first city-owned air quality data management system and public portal.
Supported by the Breathe Cities initiative, these tools will empower policymakers and residents with real-time data to guide evidence-based action that helps deliver a cleaner air future.
Air pollution levels
Air pollution was linked to approximately 2,500 premature deaths in Nairobi in 2019 and, in 2023, average levels of harmful fine particles (PM2.5) in the city’s air were four times higher than World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.
To accelerate progress, Nairobi joined the Breathe Cities initiative in 2023. The global initiative, delivered by the Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, supports cities to clean their air, cut carbon emissions and enhance public health.
Earlier this year, Breathe Cities supported Nairobi to install a first-of-its-kind network of 50 city-owned air quality sensors across schools, healthcare facilities, and other key locations, providing the foundation for today’s new data portal.
Nairobi is building on this progress with:
- Nairobi City County Air Quality Action Plan (2025–2029): a strategic roadmap for improving air quality over the next five years. The plan will create a cleaner Nairobi for all, through targeted actions, measurable goals and coordinated interventions across key sectors such as transport, industry and waste management
- Air quality data management system, complemented by an open public portal. Supported by Breathe Cities and operated by Nairobi City County, this platform opens access to hyper-local data from the 50 sensors across the city for all: leaders, researchers, civil society organisations and residents alike. By providing transparent data on the levels of air pollution where people live and work, this portal will encourage innovative solutions and foster community engagement on Nairobi’s path to cleaner air.
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“The launch of these two milestones marks a defining moment in Nairobi’s journey toward a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city,” said Johnson Sakaja, governor of Nairobi City County. “Through strong policies and a transparent data system, we are empowering our city to take bold, evidence-based action to reduce air pollution and safeguard the wellbeing of our residents. This reflects our commitment to making Nairobi a model green city for Africa.”
Maureen Njeri, County Executive Committee member Green Nairobi, added: “These initiatives demonstrate our resolve to make air quality management a central part of Nairobi’s development agenda. With an actionable plan and an open data system, we are ensuring that every decision, from transport to waste management, is guided by accurate information and a shared responsibility to protect the health of Nairobians.”
“This reflects our commitment to making Nairobi a model green city for Africa”
The steps were developed through a consultative process involving a wide range of stakeholders including civil society representatives and community groups, academic institutions and technical experts, all working collaboratively to ensure the initiatives are based in evidence, benefit Nairobi’s residents and respond to the city’s unique urban challenges.
“For the first time, Nairobi City Government and city residents can access real-time, local air quality data about the air they’re breathing, enabling them to take targeted action to protect public health,” said Dr Victor Indasi, Breathe Cities lead for Nairobi. “This progress demonstrates how bold leadership and collaboration can drive rapid progress towards cleaner air and a healthier future.”
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How does Nairobi's air quality data platform enhance citizen engagement?What measurable goals are outlined in Nairobi's Air Quality Action Plan?How will hyper-local pollution data influence Nairobi's transport policies?In what ways can real-time air quality data support public health initiatives?How does the Breathe Cities initiative facilitate Nairobi's clean air efforts?air qualitycitizen engagementclimate actionClimate change/ResilienceConnectivity & DataDataData CentresData marketplace/PlatformEnergy & EnvironmentNairobiresiliencesmart gridstransparency
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