UoN hosts 13th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action
The University of Nairobi hosted the culmination of of the 13th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action held on October 24, 2025, at Chiromo Campus. The event brought together government leaders, researchers, industry representatives, and international agencies united under the global theme “No Safe Level—Act Now to End Exposure.”
Presiding over the event, Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Kithure, the Second Lady of the Republic of Kenya, called for stronger action to eliminate lead in all forms, warning that the heavy metal continues to endanger millions of Kenyans. “Lead is not merely an entry on the Periodic Table; it is a silent predator, invisible, odourless, and relentless,” she said. “It infiltrates our homes through peeling paints, our schools through crumbling walls, and even in our children’s toys. There are no safe levels of lead, and it must be removed from all goods and spaces accessible to citizens.”
Dr. Kithure, who is also a scientist and senior lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, emphasized that lead poisoning remains a “silent public health crisis,” particularly among children. She urged the government, industries, and research institutions to work collaboratively to achieve a lead-free Kenya through stricter enforcement, improved waste management, and public education. “Government action alone is not enough,” she said. “It is the synergy between researchers, policymakers, industries, and communities that will deliver real change.”
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance, Planning and Development, Prof. Jackson Maalu, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to translating research into life-saving policies. He commended the Department of Chemistry under the leadership of Prof. David Kariuki and Dr. Faridah Were for their continuous scientific advocacy. “The transition to a lead-free Kenya is not merely a regulatory exercise; it is a declaration of our values,” he said. “The health of the next generation is the ultimate measure of our national commitment.”
Prof. David Kariuki, Chair of the Department of Chemistry, noted that the University has served as the local coordination point for the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action for over a decade. He recognized partners such as WHO, UNEP, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Basco Paints, and the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) for their sustained collaboration. “Our strength has been the synergy between research and implementation,” he said, while acknowledging Dr. Faridah Were’s role on the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint Advisory Council.
Speaking on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Associate Dean Prof. Sheila Okoth highlighted the Faculty’s central role in tackling environmental health challenges through research and innovation. “As the nation’s premier institution of higher learning, our mission goes far beyond the classroom,” she said. “Lead elimination demands continuous research and the commitment of the next generation of scientists.”
Representing industry, Mr. Aseem Doshi of Basco Paints remphasized the company’s commitment to producing 100% lead-free paints, aligning with global safety standards. He lauded the University of Nairobi for its role in guiding scientific innovation and capacity building within the sector. “Innovation and responsibility can move forward together,” he said. “Every manufacturer must be held accountable to safeguard public health and environmental safety.”
Ms. Tabitha Orwa, representing the Kenya Bureau of Standards, outlined the country’s progress since the 2016 adoption of the 90 parts per million (ppm) lead limit in paints; now harmonized under the East African Community framework. She noted that over 80% of paints tested in Kenya comply with this limit, a milestone driven by continuous surveillance, laboratory testing, and regional cooperation. “Each data point represents a healthier child and a safer community,” she said. “Regulation must live beyond paper; it must protect lives.”
A highlight of the event was the presentation by Dr. Faridah Were, whose latest University of Nairobi study revealed alarming levels of lead chromate use in paints despite the 2018 ban. Her research found that 80 percent of yellow road-marking paints and 25 percent of residential paints still contain dangerous concentrations of lead chromate pigments. She called for an immediate ban on the importation of lead chromate, terming it the most effective way to disrupt the toxic supply chain. “Sampling non-compliant paints from thousands of retail shelves is a losing battle,” she said. “A total ban at the point of entry will secure a lead-free future and protect the intellectual potential of Kenyan children.”
The 13th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action concluded with a shared commitment from government, academia, and industry to strengthen collaboration toward a lead-free Kenya. As the University of Nairobi continues to anchor national and regional efforts through evidence-based research and advocacy, it remains steadfast in its mission to protect public health, safeguard the environment, and nurture a generation free from the invisible threat of lead.
