Efforts to monitor air quality in Nakuru have received a significant boost through a project initiated by scholars from Egerton University. The initiative, called the “Quality of Air Research in Nakuru Project,” is focused on installing air quality monitors in frequently visited areas prone to pollution.
The air quality monitors, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), are designed to provide real-time data on the air quality people breathe. This data will be analyzed by experts, who will then offer guidance based on the findings. The project, spearheaded by Environmental Health Professor Wilkister Moturi, is supported by the Flanders Government in Belgium under the Spira air quality management initiative.
Professor Moturi, who serves as the Principal Investigator, explained that the sensors are being installed across various parts of Nakuru’s Central Business District. These sensors use AI-powered predictive modeling, which analyzes historical data alongside current environmental conditions to forecast pollution levels with remarkable accuracy. This capability allows for the anticipation of air pollution trends before they occur.
The AI models also help identify patterns and correlations that might be overlooked by traditional methods. They predict pollution hotspots, enabling cities to take preventive measures to mitigate poor air quality. Early warnings provided by these models could allow individuals with respiratory conditions to adjust their activities accordingly, minimizing their exposure to harmful pollutants.
A key feature of the project is its use of “Citizen Science,” which empowers local communities to actively participate in monitoring air pollution and raising public awareness. Citizen science encourages community involvement by educating individuals about air quality issues, the health impacts of pollution, and ways to reduce pollution. By taking part in data collection, community members become more aware of air quality problems, identify pollution sources, and advocate for solutions. This approach fosters a sense of ownership in addressing air quality issues.
In addition to the on-the-ground monitoring, satellite data is being employed to enable more accurate real-time data analysis and forecasting. This integration enhances public reporting, informs decision-making, and strengthens air quality awareness.
Beyond monitoring and prediction, the AI-powered air quality sensors also assist governments and organizations in implementing more effective pollution control strategies. Smart city initiatives are increasingly using AI to dynamically adjust environmental regulations in response to fluctuating pollution levels, leading to improvements in urban air quality.
Professor Moturi noted that the project has already conducted sensitization workshops for over 100 stakeholders, including representatives from civil society, community-based organizations, youth groups, environmental lobby groups, the County Government of Nakuru, and Egerton University researchers. These workshops aim to train participants to recognize the activities affecting air quality and how to mitigate pollution.
This initiative builds on previous efforts by the Nakuru County Government, which, a year prior, installed air quality sensors in public places such as learning institutions, shopping malls, and health facilities. This was part of the City Health and Wellbeing (Chew) program, a collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). Sensors were installed at places like Nakuru Girls High School, Nakuru Level 5 Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nyayo Garden, and several shopping malls to track and analyze air quality.
The AI-powered sensors provide valuable data to researchers, helping them analyze the impact of air pollution on public health. These sensors capture particulate matter like dust, smoke, and soot, along with gases in the air. The real-time data from these sensors gives advisory on pollution levels and recommends areas to avoid for people with sensitive respiratory conditions.
The installation of air quality monitoring devices is seen as a game changer in tackling pollution, as it is often difficult for authorities to identify pollution sources using traditional methods. Conventional pollution management typically relies on a few reference stations that are expensive and challenging to operate, leading to high uncertainty in mathematical modeling.
Air pollution, often referred to as a silent killer, has detrimental effects on human health, the environment, and wildlife. This project aims to provide a long-term solution for monitoring air quality, helping to identify pollution sources, raise awareness, and ultimately improve air quality in Nakuru. Air quality sensors operate by measuring the reduction of infrared radiation in the air, a process that is amplified when carbon dioxide is present. The more carbon dioxide in the air, the more the infrared radiation is attenuated, providing a clear measure of pollution levels.
