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Quarry workers and Kenyans living in stone houses could be at risk of exposure to high levels of ionizing radiations that are not radio-profiled.

Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) revealed that some stones sourced from quarries and used for construction may be radioactive. Authority’s Interim chairman Prof Dickson Andala, while stating that radioactive materials are mined, said the country had not done mapping on affected areas.

“There is no cause for alarm. We need to do mapping to identify zones perceived to have radioactive materials,” said Andala.

He spoke in Nakuru while conducting a public participation on the draft nuclear regulations seeking to operationalise the Nuclear Regulatory Act of 2019.

According to Andala, Kenya has not adequately radio-profiled sources of building materials to determine whether they contain radionuclides that emit ionizing radiations.

“Worldwide, we know most radioactive materials come from Congo and we also know they are all mined, so we need to do mapping,” said Andala.

On the flipside, the chair, however, noted that the introduction on the use of nuclear energy is set to propel the country’s economy.

“We are exploiting the safe use of nuclear technology, in hospitals including cancer treatment, electricity and also agriculture,” said Andala.

He added that the authority was closely working with security agencies, especially in all ports of entry into the country to screen all cargo.

“We have scanners to detect any illegal materials making their way into the country and also block any dumping of radioactive materials that may affect Kenyans,” he added.

In the draft regulations, the authority seeks to control the Security of Nuclear Material and Associated Facilities Regulations, Foodstuff Regulations, Radioactive Waste Management Regulation, Radioactive Consumer Products Regulations. Speaking at the same function, Rakia Ahmed from Bila Noma, a civil society, said there was a need for the authority to conduct more awareness campaigns on the programme.