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"id": 1029351,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1029351/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Mbito",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13225,
"legal_name": "Michael Maling'a Mbito",
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"content": "Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.47(1), to make a Statement on an issue of general topical concern, namely, enforcement of rules and regulations to remove toxic paints from our country. There is a compelling need to support and enforce the country’s paint industry to transition from unsafe leaded paints to minimize their devastating health and environmental impacts. Lead additives are used to enhance drying properties of oil-based decorative paints, giving them the much-needed visually appealing gloss and reducing corrosion on painted metal surfaces. However, this comes at a steep cost to human health, especially in women and children given that these paints are extensively used in homes, schools, vehicles, buildings, roads, toys, furniture and playground equipment. Lead in paint was first identified as one of the emerging policy issues during the second International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) in 2009. The ICCM launched the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead in Paint as a voluntary partnership that is jointly led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Environment (UNEP) in order to protect human health and the environment. Exposure to the heavy metal through the air, soil and food causes brain and nervous system damage, resulting in decreased mental abilities and heightened risks of behavioral problems. It can also cause anaemia, kidney damage, hypertension, impairment of the reproductive function and other disastrous effects. Some of these health impacts are generally irreversible and lifelong. As you are aware, leaded petrol was phased out in Kenya in 2005 following a concerted public health campaign. In the same manner, the time to phase out leaded paints, too, is long overdue. The developed world banned lead in paint in the 1970s and 1980s while in most of the developing world, lead paint is still legal despite the fact that alternative lead-free paint is affordable and easily available. Beginning 2013, the issues of lead in paint came into Kenya's public domain and, in recognition of the serious threat posed by leaded paints, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBs) developed and gazetted two (2) Standard, KS 2662-1:2017 and KS 2662-2:2017, to curb the production, importation, exportation, sale and use of paints. The standards, published under Gazette Notice No. 675 of 26th January, 2018, limits the total lead content in paints, varnishes and related products to 90 parts per million (ppm), a limit recommended by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). This made Kenya one of only five African countries to have done this, joining South Africa, Cameroon, Tanzania and Algeria. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}