Kiambu's Sodium Cyanide Spill Sparks Public Health Crisis in Kenya

By: Modupe Adeniyi. Freelance Health Reporter.

Map of Kenya showing Kambembe in Kiambu county

WEDNESDAY JULY 24, 2024. In a chilling turn of events, a routine transport operation has morphed into a potential public health catastrophe in Kiambu County, Kenya.

On the fateful Saturday, July 20, a truck carrying 22 tonnes of sodium cyanide overturned in Kambembe area of Rironi in Kiambu county, approximately 38 kilometres nortthwest of Nairobi on the A104 Nairobi expressway, spilling its lethal cargo and setting off a chain of events that has authorities scrambling to avert disaster.

According to the CDC, sodium cyanide is a highly lethal chemical to the body. It is used in fumigating ships and warehouses to get rid of pests, in the paper, textile, plastics, dye-making and pharmaceutical industries, in the the hardening of iron and other metals to make them resistant to corrosion, and in extracting gold and silver from their ores. 

In the chaos following the accident, unaware of the extreme danger, local residents rushed to the scene and began looting the scattered containers. This act of uninformed opportunism has now placed an entire community at risk, with an invisible cloud of danger hanging over the area.

"The substance is extremely toxic, with ingestion or inhalation of even small amounts potentially fatal," warns Mary Muthoni, Public Health Principal Secretary.

Days after the incident, a frantic search is underway to recover the stolen material and prevent a widespread poisoning event. The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) have issued urgent appeals for the return of the stolen containers.

Kiambu Governor Kiamani Wa Matangi expressed grave concern about the situation's escalation: "Following the incident, Ministry of Health officials, personnel from the Kiambu county government and the police promptly secured the scene. However, subsequent rainfall has raised concerns about potential contamination spreading through rainwater into residential areas. Of even greater concern, 20 drums of sodium cyanide were reported stolen in the aftermath of the accident."

Sodium cyanide's danger lies in its deceptive appearance. Dr. Ezekiel Mecha, a Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry at the University of Nairobi, explains the terrifying progression of cyanide poisoning:

"Cyanide causes very severe headache, dizziness, constriction of the airways leading to increased breathing, vomiting, convulsions, seizures, and it's fatal."

Even more alarming, the effects of exposure can persist long after the initial poisoning, with survivors often experiencing neurological issues and increased rates of anxiety and depression.

Beyond the immediate threat to human life, the spill poses significant environmental risks. Sodium cyanide can contaminate soil and water, potentially entering the food chain and causing widespread ecological damage.

This incident is not without precedent. Similar accidents worldwide have resulted in catastrophic consequences, such as the 2000 gold mine spill in Romania that devastated the Danube River ecosystem, and the 2015 warehouse explosion in Tianjin, China, which claimed 173 lives.

As local hospitals prepare for potential poisoning cases, the incident underscores the critical need for public education on chemical hazards and proper emergency response protocols. Authorities face the daunting task of locating and securing the looted sodium cyanide containers while simultaneously preparing for possible poisoning cases.

Governor Wamatangi's call to action resonates with urgency: "We urgently appeal to anyone who may have come into possession of these drums to bring them to the Rironi Chief's Camp or the nearest police station immediately. Handling these drums without proper precautions is dangerous and can lead to severe health consequences and environmental contamination."

As the search continues and public awareness campaigns intensify, the people of Kiambu County find themselves at the center of a crisis that serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in the seemingly mundane transport of industrial chemicals. The race against time to recover the stolen containers and prevent widespread poisoning highlights the critical importance of public awareness and proper handling of hazardous materials in Kenya and beyond.

Source: The Standard News.

Published: JULY 24, 2024

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