More than a decade after a lead-acid battery recycling plant shut down in Mombasa, residents of Owino Uhuru say they are still living with the devastating effects of lead poisoning. Their struggle highlights a growing public health concern as battery use expands alongside Africa’s clean energy transition.
Faith Muthama, a 40 year old mother of four, says her health has never fully recovered. She continues to suffer from breathing problems and fatigue, conditions she traces back to high lead levels detected in her blood in 2012. Daily tasks remain a challenge, and she says life has not returned to normal since her exposure.
Health experts warn that similar risks are emerging across the continent as demand for batteries rises, driven by renewable energy projects and off grid solar systems. A recent report from an international think tank cautions that this surge is also increasing the need for battery recycling much of which takes place in informal or poorly regulated environments.
The contamination in Owino Uhuru began in 2007, when a local smelting plant processed used lead acid batteries within the settlement. Residents say toxic waste polluted the soil and water, leading to widespread illness and more than 20 deaths. Although the plant closed in 2014, the environmental and health damage remains.
Lead exposure is particularly dangerous for children, as it can impair brain development and cause long term neurological harm. Adults are also affected, experiencing chronic health issues such as respiratory problems and nerve damage.
In 2025, about 3,000 residents won a landmark legal case, with Kenya’s Supreme Court awarding them roughly $12 million in damages. However, many say compensation has yet to reach them.
Seventy year old village elder Alfred Ogulo says he has spent his savings on medical care. Once found to have extremely high lead levels, he now suffers from nerve damage, struggles to walk without assistance, and experiences persistent chest pain and coughing.
Lead-acid batteries remain widely used in lower-income regions because they are cheaper than alternatives like lithium ion. But safe recycling requires expensive infrastructure that is often unavailable. As a result, many recyclers rely on unsafe methods that release toxic particles into the environment.
Researchers note that the growing use of solar energy systems will further increase the number of batteries entering the recycling stream. Combined with demand from vehicles, this creates pressure on already weak recycling systems.
Across parts of Africa and South Asia, studies suggest that a significant share of children have elevated blood lead levels, making lead exposure one of the most widespread environmental health threats. Weak enforcement of environmental regulations often worsens the situation.
Experts stress that the problem is not limited to small informal operations. Even larger facilities can lack proper safeguards, while complex global supply chains make it difficult to assign responsibility.
Some countries have introduced stricter systems, requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for recycling. However, in many regions where batteries are imported, accountability remains unclear.
While newer battery technologies may reduce future risks, lead acid batteries are expected to remain in use for years. For the residents of Owino Uhuru, the consequences are ongoing.
Community advocates say delayed compensation has deepened the suffering of already vulnerable families. Many residents feel abandoned, questioning whether justice will ever be fully delivered as they continue to cope with the long term effects of pollution.
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