Kenya Met calls for joint action to tackle adverse weather

Kenya Meteorological Department deputy director Kennedy Thiong’o in Garissa /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

The Kenya Meteorological Department is advocating for collaboration between stakeholders to mitigate adverse weather conditions.

According to the department, the impacts of severe weather in the country in recent years have resulted in casualties and significant damage to property and infrastructure, and this has in turn caused huge economic losses.The 

Northeastern region has for decades been experiencing adverse weather patterns, especially droughts and floods.

The department wants key stakeholders, among them, humanitarian organisations, the Kenya Red Cross, farmers' representatives and government departments to work closely so that weather forecast information reaches a wider population.

Speaking during a weather forecast workshop in Garissa, Kenya Meteorological Department deputy director Kennedy Thiong’o said they will engage the media, especially local FM radio stations, to pass the message to residents.

Other platforms the department is using include social media platforms like WhatsApp groups, where weather forecast is shared.

“Our officers at the county level are supposed to interpret the data relevant to areas of jurisdiction and break it down to a language they can pass on and reach the farmers and other rural folks,” Thiong'o said.

Zakaria Misiani, a scientist from the Kenya Red Cross, said early warnings on adverse weather will enable the organisation to prepare early and mobilise resources.

“We don't want to have any casualties in the event we have droughts like has been the case in the past,” he said. 

“We are calling on our farmers to heed warnings by the weatherman and or other government agencies to avoid losses during disasters.” 

Garissa County Farmers’ Association chairperson Ebla Hassan lauded the Met for its consistent forecast that helps them to prepare early before disaster strikes.

Ebla said this has helped pastoralists to take precautionary measures and minimise losses during droughts.

The one-week workshop that brought together government departments, humanitarian organisations, youth, women, people with disabilities, the media, livestock and irrigation farmers was organised by IGAD through the Weather Information System for Emergency Responders.