Government Orders Immediate Removal of Asbestos Roofing from All Buildings
Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has officially ordered the immediate removal of all roofing materials made from asbestos across the country.
This directive was published in a gazette notice dated June 5, 2025, and comes as part of a government effort to reduce health risks and promote environmental safety.
According to CS Barasa, asbestos has now been classified as a restricted chemical under Kenyan environmental law. Roofing materials made with asbestos are considered extremely dangerous because they can release tiny fibers into the air when disturbed or damaged.
These airborne fibers are harmful to human health when inhaled, and over time, they can lead to severe and even fatal diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma — a rare form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure.
In her statement, Barasa emphasized that all property owners, caretakers, and operators of buildings and facilities are required to arrange for the safe removal and disposal of any roofing materials that contain asbestos.
This must be done in strict accordance with the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Management of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Materials) Regulations, 2024 — specifically under paragraph 1 of Part I of the Sixth Schedule.
She added, “It is resolved that each proprietor, owner, operator, or person in charge of any buildings, premises, or facilities shall ensure that all roofing materials composed of or containing asbestos are safely removed and disposed of.
The process must comply with sections 58 to 63 of the Act, and also adhere to paragraphs 2(1)(c) and 3(12)(k) of the Second Schedule to the Act.”
The CS explained that the decision to phase out asbestos roofing is not only a step toward protecting the public from long-term health risks but also part of a broader initiative to maintain environmental cleanliness and safety throughout the country.
While the order is effective immediately, CS Barasa has not specified an exact deadline by which building owners must have completed the removal of the asbestos material. However, the emphasis remains on urgency and compliance with the environmental law.
The gazette notice further highlighted the importance of environmental rights under the Constitution of Kenya. “It is important to recognize that every Kenyan has the right to a clean and healthy environment, as stated in Article 42 of the Constitution. This right is also supported by section 3 of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act,” the notice stated.
This is not the first time the government has made such a move this year. Back on March 11, the Cabinet directed the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to oversee a nationwide initiative to remove all asbestos roofing materials from both public and private buildings.
In a dispatch from the Cabinet, it was stated, “To improve public health and ensure safety, the Cabinet has approved a countrywide initiative to remove asbestos roofing from all buildings. This decision aims to reduce the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos.”
The government clarified that under the “Polluter Pays” principle, property owners will be fully responsible for covering the cost of removing asbestos from their buildings.
Officials believe that this operation will not only lower the risk of asbestos-related diseases in the future but also reduce healthcare costs and improve the general cleanliness and environmental well-being of the country.
With asbestos roofing having been widely used in Kenya for decades, this directive marks a significant turning point in the country’s approach to health and environmental management.
The government is now urging all stakeholders to take the necessary steps to comply and ensure that the country becomes free of this harmful material.
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