Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya faces ongoing challenges from floods and droughts, which consistently cause severe damage to its economy and communities.
In response, The Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa (WISER) Kenya Project is making significant progress by introducing new, collaboratively developed forecasting tools to the National Technical Working Group on Anticipatory Action.
Kenya’s climate is changing, bringing more extreme weather events that threaten lives and livelihoods. According to the “State of the Climate Kenya 2023 Report” by the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) and supported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2023 saw above-normal temperatures, continuing a long-term warming trend. Sea level rise along Kenya’s coastlines is accelerating, posing a growing threat to coastal communities.
The report also highlights significant rainfall variability, with some regions experiencing higher-than-average rainfall leading to severe flooding in river basins like the Tana and Lake Victoria, causing displacement, property damage, and loss of life. Simultaneously, other areas faced prolonged dry spells.
These extreme events have severely impacted agriculture, infrastructure, and energy production, worsening food insecurity and energy shortages, especially in areas dependent on farming and hydropower.
The WISER Kenya Project, implemented by the UK Met Office, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), and the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), is leading this important initiative.
These new tools, which include improved flood forecasting models and the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) for monitoring drought, are designed to help with early decision-making and quick responses. By acting before disasters happen, Kenya can significantly reduce the human and financial costs of emergency response.
This week, a major technical workshop in Mwingi has brought together national experts from the National Technical Working Group on Anticipatory Action, representatives from Garissa and Tana River counties, and key partners. Together, they are developing and checking these tools to make sure they fit with Early Action Protocols. This includes refining the triggers and thresholds that will ensure timely and effective actions both locally and across the country.
This effort marks a crucial change for Kenya, moving from simply reacting to disasters to proactively preparing for them. This shift is essential for protecting people’s lives, securing their incomes, and building resilience to climate change through forecasting based on scientific information. IGAD hashtag#WISERukAID hashtag#WISERKenya
