Years after a lead-acid battery recycling plant closed in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa, residents of Owino Uhuru say they continue to suffer from lead poisoning, a growing public health risk as Africa's clean energy boom drives a surge in battery use. Faith Muthama, a 40-year-old mother of four, reported that her health has never recovered. She struggles with breathing difficulties and was found to have high lead levels in her blood in 2012.
Renewable Energy Expansion and Battery Recycling
Experts warn that similar risks have emerged across Africa as the continent adopts more renewable energy. A February report by the Center for Global Development, an independent think tank based in Washington and London, warned that the rapid expansion of off-grid solar systems and battery storage is driving a sharp increase in demand for battery recycling. Much of this recycling occurs in informal or poorly regulated settings.
The Owino Uhuru Contamination
The contamination in Owino Uhuru dates back to 2007, when Kenya Metal Refineries EPZ, a local subsidiary of a company based in Mumbai, India, operated a lead-acid battery recycling plant within the settlement. Residents say toxic waste from the plant seeped into the soil and water, causing widespread illness. More than 20 deaths have been linked to the pollution. Although the factory was shut down in 2014, the damage lingers.
Lead exposure is linked to neurological damage, reduced cognitive development, and long-term health impacts, particularly in children. In 2025, Kenya's Supreme Court awarded about $12 million in damages to about 3,000 residents after a class-action lawsuit against the smelting company. However, activists say the state has failed to ensure timely compensation.
Alfred Ogulo, a 70-year-old village elder, described his suffering: tests showed extremely high lead levels in his blood, leaving him with nerve damage and limited mobility. He cannot walk without a stick and suffers from chest pain and coughs from toxic fumes.
Challenges in Battery Recycling
Lead-acid batteries are widely used in low-income markets because they are cheaper than alternatives like lithium-ion batteries. Safely recycling them requires costly infrastructure that is often lacking. Informal recyclers use rudimentary methods that release lead particles into the air, soil, and water. Lee Crawford, a senior research fellow at the Center for Global Development, noted that off-grid solar could account for a substantial share of batteries entering the recycling stream in Africa, adding to existing demand from vehicles.
Safe recycling is expensive, creating a strong incentive to do it unsafely. Since banning lead-acid batteries is unfeasible, the solution is to make recycling safer. Across Africa and South Asia, studies estimate that between one-third and half of children have elevated blood lead levels, making it one of the most widespread environmental global health risks.
Weak Enforcement and Accountability
Weak enforcement of environmental regulations compounds the problem. While rules often exist, implementation remains inconsistent. Crawford described it as a silent threat that affects health, cognitive development, and economic productivity. The issue extends beyond small informal workshops; even larger facilities may lack proper controls, and global supply chains for recycled lead can obscure accountability.
Some countries are making progress. South Africa has introduced producer responsibility systems requiring manufacturers to manage battery recycling. However, in many parts of the continent, particularly where batteries are imported rather than produced locally, assigning responsibility remains difficult.
International Support and Future Outlook
International donors are increasingly supporting lithium-ion technologies, which do not carry the same lead-related risks. But lead-acid batteries are expected to remain widely used for years, especially in off-grid solar systems. Phyllis Omido, who leads the Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action based in Mombasa and helped residents take their case to court, expressed sadness that the state has ignored prioritizing compensation. Mejumaa Hassan Nyanje, 60, fought back tears as she questioned whether they would all die before justice is served, feeling abandoned.
