The RESPIRA Air Quality Monitoring (RESPIRA-AQM) project aims to build Nakuru’s resilience against the impacts of climate change by integrating advanced technology with community-driven environmental monitoring. This initiative aligns closely with Nakuru’s municipal climate regulations, Kenya’s national climate action frameworks, and global sustainable development strategies, positioning the city at the forefront of climate adaptation.

Our approach is rooted in strong partnerships that unite the expertise of local and international specialists. The team comprises data scientists, anthropologists, and citizen science experts from KU Leuven in Belgium, working hand-in-hand with environmental scientists from Kenya’s Egerton University. Additionally, we collaborate extensively with local organizations such as Sensors.Africa, a Kenyan initiative by Code for Africa dedicated to community-based environmental monitoring, the Kenya Meteorological Department, and Belgian professionals specializing in community engagement and data visualization. This diverse partnership ensures the project remains deeply embedded in local realities while benefiting from cutting-edge international knowledge and technology.

The RESPIRA-AQM project focuses on three strategic objectives:

(I) Strengthening Local Expertise:

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We enhance the technical capabilities of Nakuru’s Meteorological Department by incorporating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and data science methods into air pollution monitoring and forecasting. This empowers local institutions to predict, analyze, and respond to air quality issues effectively, ensuring sustainability and continued development of local expertise beyond the project.

(II) Using Local Data to Inform Policy:

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In close partnership with Nakuru County government and city stakeholders, we provide accurate, locally generated data to shape effective climate policies. The project emphasizes evidence-based policy making, ensuring air quality and climate resilience strategies directly reflect local conditions, challenges, and priorities.

(III) Harnessing AI and Community Involvement:

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We fully leverage AI-driven tools and citizen science to devise practical solutions to Nakuru’s climate-related air pollution challenges. Our citizen-driven platform, AngaWatch, enables residents to actively report and track pollution incidents, amplifying local engagement and fostering public awareness about the tangible impacts of climate change and air pollution on health and community well-being.

By integrating advanced AI technologies, robust local data collection, and community-driven environmental stewardship, the RESPIRA-AQM initiative supports Nakuru’s long-term resilience strategy. This effort prioritizes local needs, public health, and sustainable infrastructure, ensuring a healthier and more resilient future for Nakuru’s residents.

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The project is funded by the Government of Flanders through the Flanders International Climate Action Programme.