This commentary argues that Kenya’s industrialisation drive will only be sustainable if chemical waste is managed more carefully and backed by stronger policy.
Phyllis Wakiaga, the chief executive of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), says industrial growth remains central to jobs, poverty reduction and economic expansion, but warns that the same growth must also deliver a cleaner and safer environment. She links that argument to the African Industrialisation Day theme, “Promoting Regional Value Chains in Africa,” and says the country should use the moment to rethink how it pursues its industrialisation agenda.
Wakiaga says the rise of Industry 4.0 shows why industrialisation will remain important in future development planning. At the same time, she says global concern over shrinking environmental resources means production systems must be adjusted to reduce harm and improve efficiency.
She points to chemicals as a major part of everyday life, including agricultural use, medicine production, home maintenance and personal care. In her view, the chemical sector also supports jobs through wider value and supply chains, which makes sustainable chemical use important for environmental management and for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 3 on Good Health, SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption.
According to a 2016 Baseline Study on Chemicals Management in Kenya, the country has faced several gaps in this area, including the absence of a specific chemicals management policy, low awareness, weak information flow, poor exchange of hazard data, and limited inventory and risk tracking across the supply chain. Wakiaga says the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, working through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) programme with KAM as an implementing partner, has already moved to develop policies on chemical management and on reducing unintentionally produced organic pollutants.
She says the next step is to improve protection for employees, consumers and the environment, while also building the human and infrastructure capacity needed to reduce chemical risks effectively. Existing laws such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 already support workplace safety, but she says Kenya also needs public awareness forums on chemical waste management at both county and national level.
Wakiaga further says a sound National Chemical Policy and a chemicals management roadmap would help anchor sustainable practice. She also describes the Draft Toxic and Hazardous Industrial Chemicals and Materials Regulations, 2018 as a positive move.
Beyond regulation, she says self-regulation has an important role to play. KAM has partnered with the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) to promote Responsible Care® in Kenya, and she says the country is the first in Africa and in the East African region to undertake the initiative.
Responsible Care is described as a voluntary, industry-led waste management programme focused on continuous improvement in environmental, health, safety and security performance. Wakiaga says the initiative began in Canada in 1985 and is now used in 68 economies. She adds that between 1988 and 2016, participating companies reduced hazardous releases to air, land and water by 84 per cent, and says similar results are possible in Kenya if industry-led efforts are strengthened.
She concludes that such measures would support the Big 4 Agenda while also encouraging industrial growth.
Phyllis Wakiaga, CEO, Kenya Association of Manufacturers.
