- Parents in Nandi Hills are raising concerns about respiratory complaints among learners during periods of aerial fertilizer application.
- They want health and environmental authorities to investigate whether the agricultural activity poses risks to nearby schools and communities.
- No medical or environmental investigation has established a link between the fertilizer application and the reported illnesses.
A group of concerned parents in Nandi Hills Town has raised alarm over what they claim is an increase in respiratory infections among learners during periods when multinational tea companies undertake aerial fertilizer application in the area.
The parents say their children have repeatedly experienced health challenges whenever light aircraft are used to apply fertilizer over tea plantations.
According to the concerned parents, learners and other residents are exposed to what they describe as fertilizer fumes during the aerial application.
“We have always had challenges with our children’s health every time the aerial fertilizer application is done,” the parents said, expressing concern over the possible effects of the practice on learners.
The parents claim that respiratory complaints become particularly noticeable around periods when the aircraft are deployed to apply fertilizer over tea estates.
Parents want government investigation
They have implored the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to intervene and investigate what they describe as rising incidences of respiratory infections allegedly associated with aerial fertilizer application.
The parents want the authorities to establish whether there is any connection between the reported illnesses and the products being applied through aerial operations.
They have also called for investigations into the type of fertilizer being used, the aerial application methods and the potential exposure of learners in schools located near tea plantations.
The concerned parents further claimed that some other multinational tea companies have opted for manual or hand application of fertilizer, which they say reduces the possibility of fertilizer being dispersed into surrounding communities.
They questioned why aerial application should continue in areas where schools and residential settlements are located, particularly if alternative methods of fertilizer application are available.
The parents are calling for greater caution and transparency from tea companies undertaking aerial fertilizer application, including disclosure of the products being used and measures put in place to protect nearby schools and residents.
No link established
The concerns have also prompted calls for an independent assessment involving public health officials, education authorities, environmental regulators and the companies involved in aerial agricultural operations.
However, the parents’ claims have not independently established that aerial fertilizer application is the cause of the reported respiratory infections. Medical and environmental investigations would be necessary to determine whether there is a direct link between the application and the reported cases.
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The parents say they will continue pressing the relevant authorities to intervene, arguing that the health and safety of learners should take precedence whenever agricultural activities are conducted near learning institutions.
They are now awaiting a response from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, NEMA and the affected tea companies on the concerns raised by the community.
By Kimutai Langat
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