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SEI-Africa installed air quality monitoring sensors at Raila Amolo Odinga stadium, an initiative that is aimed at monitoring the air quality when athletes use the facilities during training and competitions. The facility is among 12 others in Africa with the equipment, with similar equipment already installed at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium, Kipchoge Keino Stadium and Nakuru Athletics Club in Kenya.
Speaking during the installation of the sensors, Centre Director, Dr. Philip Osano said that installation of the sensors is part of wider efforts to promote actions that ensure city residents breath cleaner air that enhances their health and wellbeing. Across all these stadiums, the monitors have enabled knowledge of the status of air quality and the extent to which our athletes and fans are exposed to air pollution during training and competitions. It also helps us to take remedial actions such as creating greenbelts around stadiums through tree planting.
In Homa Bay County, the sensors are inside the stadium, Homa Bay County Bus Park, Homa Bay County Referral Hospital, and the county headquarters.
Air pollution contributes heavily to the health burden that negatively impacts the economies of African countries. In 2019, almost 400,000 premature deaths in Africa were attributed to outdoor air pollution. The sports community, including athletes, stands to benefit immensely from improved air quality, especially in stadiums and sports facilities which are used for competitions and recreational activities. That is why SEI supports the monitoring of air quality in sporting facilities across Africa, to promote measures such as greenbelts around stadiums to protect athletes and fans during sporting events.
Dr. Philip Osano, SEI Africa Centre Director
Dr. Philip Osano, Centre Director, plants a tree to commemorate the launch of the installation of the air quality monitoring sensors outside the Raila Amolo Odinga stadium in Homa Bay County, Kenya.
Photo: Lawrence Nzuve/ SEI
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