Kenya Meteorological Department to undergo transformation to enhance service delivery

JANE NGUGI AND DENNIS RASTO-KNA

The Kenya Meteorological Department’s transformation into a state corporation is set to strengthen its legal and financial powers while enhancing nationwide forecasting, early warning systems, and climate information services.

According to Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, the move aims to improve climate services and bolster national resilience.

Dr. Barasa emphasized Kenya’s leadership role in advancing climate services regionally and globally. She highlighted the critical role of climate services in guiding practical actions across sectors.

“Climate services enable governments, communities and the private sector to anticipate risks, plan and take early action.

"They support farmers to make informed farming decisions, pastoralists to manage pastures and mobility, health systems to anticipate disease outbreaks, energy planners to optimize generation and disaster management agencies to protect lives and livelihoods,” she said.

Speaking in Nakuru during celebrations to mark the World Meteorological Day, Dr. Barasa emphasized the shift from producing climate information to co-producing climate services, ensuring data is accessible and responsive to user needs at community, national and regional levels.

President William Ruto assented to the Meteorology Bill, 2023, which establishes the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA), creating a comprehensive framework to regulate and coordinate meteorological services in the country while aligning with global aviation and scientific standards.

Dr. Barasa said the new law creates a legislative framework to regulate meteorological services in Kenya and to coordinate and monitor their delivery across national and county governments.