16. National Efforts towards the Sound Management of Chemicals in Kenya
by
Mr. H. Alubaka Qnyoyo
Deputy Director Occupational Health & Safety Services
Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
Endeavour so far deployed by national authorities in Kenya in order to afford their respective
directorates the means for the sound management of chemicals, mainly focuses on developing and strengthening chemical management infrastructures and conducting the following activities:
I. The National Information System Center
Established in 1991, the national information system center is aimed at:
- collecting data on all chemicals in use in Kenya, in terms of the potential hazards likely to arise from such utilization; and,
- ensuring that national authorities successfully design strategies and action plan in support of environmental protection, (e.g. awareness raising among workers, users and manufacturers of chemicals).
IL The National Technical Tripartite Committee
To draft regulatory provisions ensuring that the management of aforementioned chemicals be in keeping with internationally approved procedures. The membership to such a committee is extended to all parties involved in the control of the chemical "life-cycle".
III. The Draft of the 1995 Environmental Management and Coordination Bill
To enable the appointment of the Supreme National Body responsible for:
- the management of Environment and Natural Resources;
- the control, through designated bodies, of industrial wastes disposal; and
- the reinforcement of cooperation between interested parties that could lead the effective implementation of sectorial chemical management legislation
IV. The 1996 Chemical Management Bill established under the auspices of the office of the President
To set up a chemical management board to:
- ensure that the import, registration, distribution, transport and storage of chemicals conform respective national regulatory provisions; and
- effectively control the management of industrial wastes.
V. Survey on the Use of Organochlorine, Organophosphate and Pyrethroid Pesticides
The survey conducted on above mentioned pesticides enable the assessment of their toxicological impact on the environment and resulting health implications due to both the long exposure of farmworkers and their handling practices of those substances.
The survey further pointed out that pesticides that are banned or severely restricted in industrialized countries are still illegally imported and used in Kenya, due to the lack of a concerted regional approach to draft, monitor and effectively implement environmental legislation
Conclusions, Recommendations and future trends
In view of foregoing observations, it is strongly recommended that:
- existing national legislation on the management of chemicals be further developed to include POPs, and strictly implemented,
- survey on obsolete pesticides and other industrial and consumer chemicals be conducted and their safe disposal by internationally approved procedures be promoted