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SENTINEL ARCHIVE / CASE #090

Kenya

Ban on import, manufacture, and use of asbestos under Legal Notice No. 121, Environmental Management and Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006. Despite the ban, nearly all government institutions built in the 1950s-1960s still have asbestos roofs. Kenya held approximately 30 million tonnes of asbestos roofing at the time of the ban. NEMA developed national guidelines for safe management and disposal of asbestos in 2011, revised in 2013. Enforcement remains a major challenge.

2006Full Ban
2006
Year Banned
—
Mesothelioma Rate
~30 million tonnes of…
Buildings at Risk
1950s-1990s
Peak Usage Era

Regulatory Timeline

  1. 2000s

    1. 2006Legislation

      Legal Notice No. 121 bans import, manufacture, and use of asbestos under Environmental Management and Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations

      ↗ Source

  2. 2010s

    1. 2011Regulation

      NEMA develops national guidelines on safe management and disposal of asbestos, produced through consultation with Ministry of Health and DOSHS

      ↗ Source

  3. 2020s

    1. 2020Event

      Calls to implement the asbestos ban to save lives — 14 years after enactment, enforcement remains largely unimplemented

      ↗ Source
    2. 2024Regulation

      Environment CS Adan Duale orders schools, hospitals, and institutions to remove asbestos roofing; MPs direct NEMA to enforce ban across the country

      ↗ Source

Key Figures in Detail

Context and sources behind the numbers

2006Ban Year

All forms of asbestos have been banned since 2006. Buildings constructed before this date may still contain asbestos materials.

Buildings at Risk

Estimated scope of asbestos-containing materials still present in the built environment.

  • ~30 million tonnes of asbestos roofing material in use at time of ban
  • nearly all government institutions from 1950s-1960s affected
1950s-1990sPeak Usage Era

The period when asbestos was most heavily used in construction. Buildings from this era have the highest probability of containing asbestos materials.

Material Identification Guide

Common materials still present in buildings

asbestos-cement roofing sheets

HIGH RISKNon-friable

1930–2000

asbestos-cement flat sheets

HIGH RISKNon-friable

1930–2000

asbestos-cement water pipes

MODERATENon-friable

1930–1990

↗Learn more

What To Do If You Live Here

  • Your country has banned asbestos, but older buildings may still contain legacy materials.
  • Buildings built before the ban year may contain asbestos-containing materials.
  • Hire a certified asbestos surveyor before any renovation or demolition work.
  • Do not disturb older building materials without professional testing.

Check Your Property

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Sources

Last updated: 2026-03-24

Information aggregated from public sources including IBAS, EPA, and WHO. Not legal or medical advice.

How we source our data →