- Senators want to know whether the department has procured any new equipment in the recent past; and a description of the type if any.
- The department is expected to elaborate on the type and age of the equipment being used to capture weather information
Image: WILFRED NYANGARESI
Senators have launched a probe into unreliable weather forecasts by the Kenya Meteorological Department.
Legislators want to establish whether the department’s undependable weather prediction is a consequence of the use of obsolete technology.
The Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources wants the department to elaborate on the type and age of the equipment being used to capture weather information for forecasting and the period it has been in use.
The committee will also seek to establish whether the Metrological Department has procured any new equipment in the recent past, and a description of the type if any.
While seeking a statement from the committee on March 31, Vihiga senator George Khaniri regretted that the department has been broadcasting unreliable weather forecasts.
Kitui Senator Enock Wambua noted that in the developed world, people make decisions on account of the weather forecasts.
“Many times in this country, people at the Kenya Meteorological Department will tell you it will be a sunny day complete with temperatures, but before you leave your house, it is pouring,” said Wambua.
“There is a need for that department to either stop giving us weather forecasts or invest in technology that is accurate.”
Marsabit senator Godana Hargura said farmers and pastoralists require a reliable source of forecasting to plan their activities.
“With the current situation of climate change, the weather patterns have changed completely and citizens cannot predict rain patterns on their own,” he said.
Nominated Senator Rose Nyamunga said it is unfortunate that the department has not been giving reliable weather forecasts.
“At the beginning of this month, many farmers in Kisumu County went to their fields and planted. Manure, seeds and labour are very expensive, but people went ahead and planted going by the direction that had been given by the Department. Unfortunately, the plants that tried to germinate have all dried. People are doing the second planting, and you know how difficult it is,” she said.
Narok Senator Ledama Olekina said farmers are losing millions of shillings because of information that is unreliable.
It is imperative that in this 21st century, and particularly this year when farmers are fighting pests that are ravaging their crops, they should be well informed on when the rains will come and what they should do,” he added.
Embu Senator Njeru Ndwiga said it is sad that Kenyans say they come from an agricultural country but do not put in place measures to support the objective.
“At the moment, on matters concerning weather, we rely on information from other countries. When our own weather department tells us that we are going to have more than average rainfall, most of the time, you do not get any rain,” he added.
He regretted that even as Parliament passes Bills to support agriculture, the planning is poor.
“If you cannot plan on the parameters that will support that agriculture, all the Bills that we pass here and everything else that we do will be in vain,” he explained.
He called on legislators to examine whether the Kenya Meteorological Department can give forecasts that can help the country to plan.
“They should be able to tell us when we will have rains and drought so that the country can plan. If you do not have that, then you cannot call yourself a country,” he added.