The US Embassy in Nairobi has issued an alert to its citizens to avoid using Highway A104 in the Kambembe area of Rironi, Kiambu County.
This follows a spillage of dangerous sodium cyanide after a truck transporting the substance overturned.
The Embassy advised its citizens to avoid the main highway between Westlands along Waiyaki Way and the junction to Natoka (B3).
The US Embassy instead advised its citizens to use Limuru Road as a detour.
“Monitor local media for updates on the safety of the affected area,” the Embassy stated.
In a statement following the incident, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni asked the public to avoid the site terming the substance as highly toxic.
“The Ministry advises the public to avoid the site of the incident and to cooperate with our emergency and disaster response teams as they work to contain the situation,” she said.
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She stated that the dangers of sodium cyanide are so extreme that ingesting or inhaling even small amounts of the substance is potentially fatal.
She added that Sodium cyanide poses a significant threat to aquatic life.
“Accidental release into waterways can cause extensive fish kills and long-term damage to aquatic ecosystems,” she added.
When handling sodium cyanide, PS Muthoni said, Protective Measures Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, and eye protection is essential.
This is to prevent direct exposure.
“Adequate ventilation and spill containment systems are crucial in environments where sodium cyanide is handled/present,” she added.
Sodium cyanide is a white, water-soluble solid.
It has a high affinity for metals, which leads to the high toxicity of this salt.
Its main application, in gold mining, also exploits its high reactivity toward metals. It is a moderately strong base.
