Critical Review of the Current Status of Soil Contamination in Kenya

The growth of economy in Kenya is an impressive factor for the development, and is considered as improving living standard of many. However, pollution goes in hand with growing population and economic activities. Soil contamination is rampart now days, but it is not taken as of more concern like water and air pollution. The main sources of soil contaminations are anthropogenic activities such as synthetic chemical products, mining and natural sources. This dissertation focuses on the review of current status of soil contamination in Kenya. Secondary data from various published papers were used to determine the most popular contaminants in the soil (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn and Dioxin). This paper further examines two case studies on health impacts of contaminants, for instance lead poisoning in Nairobi city were carried on children age between 2 to 18 years who are living around Dandora dumpsite area. It was determined that number of them are suffering from ailments that might be attributed to contaminants. Finally, this study touches on environmental legal framework that governs the land in Kenya. It indicates that only laws to conserve the soil fertility are taken into account, but there are no specific laws to protect soil quality against contaminants.