Kenya has taken a major step towards improving weather forecasting and climate monitoring after signing a new partnership agreement with France aimed at modernising the country’s meteorological services.
The agreement was signed at State House in Nairobi between the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) and Meteo France International during a ceremony witnessed by President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The partnership will be instrumental in improving weather prediction and climate monitoring and preparation for disasters during a period when the nation is still suffering from floods, droughts and altered weather conditions.
Under the memorandum of understanding, the two bodies have committed themselves to the enhancement of Kenya’s meteorology facilities through the upgrading of weather measurement equipment and systems, information systems and flood monitoring programs.
According to government officials, the program will also ensure improved dissemination of weather forecasts to vital areas like agriculture, transportation, environmental management and disaster mitigation.
The two bodies in the partnership include KMSA, an organization within the Ministry of Environment, and Meteo France International, a multinational firm that works towards modernization of meteorological services.
The deal follows years of technical discussions between Kenya and France on ways of strengthening Kenya’s climate and weather monitoring systems through technology transfer and training.
Officials say the programme will help Kenya build stronger technical capacity and improve access to reliable weather information for both government agencies and ordinary wananchi.
The initiative is also expected to boost the country’s ability to prepare for extreme weather events that have continued to affect livelihoods in different parts of the country.
The agreement was signed by Acting KMSA Director General Edward Muriuki and Meteo France International President Jean-Sébastien Cases.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Debora Barasa and Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno were also present during the signing ceremony.
