Nakuru: Nakuru County Government, in collaboration with the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), is in the process of establishing a Climate Information Centre aimed at empowering farmers with agro-weather information to enhance their farming activities. The centre will focus on collating, analysing, packaging, and distributing climate data on variables such as temperature, rainfall, wind, soil moisture, lake conditions, and extreme weather indicators.
According to Kenya News Agency, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Environment, Energy, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Dr. Nelson Maara, explained that the data collected would be crucial for farmers in the county, enabling them to make informed decisions for their farming activities. Additionally, this data will assist decision-makers in the county in formulating relevant policies. The initiative is aimed at building resilience and promoting sustainable development in Nakuru County through enhanced access to and utilization of climate-related information and intelligence.
Dr. Maara emphasized that the centre will also serve as a call centre for disaster risk management. The agro-weather information disseminated to farmers is expected to aid in proper planning and execution of farm activities, leading to improved production. Governor Susan Kihika’s administration has implemented policies recommending the use of appropriate technology for reliable data collection, analysis, and dissemination of climate information. The establishment of the Climate Information Centre aligns with the implementation of the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) led by Deputy Director of the Institute for Meteorological Training and Research (IMTR) Edward Muriuki, Dr. Maara stated that the proposed one-stop shop would empower the public with easily accessible climate information, crucial for adapting to evolving environmental conditions. The centre will disseminate localized data on rainfall, temperature, and potential hazards, enabling communities to make informed decisions regarding agriculture, water management, and disaster preparedness.
Dr. Maara noted that the climate information is expected to guide the county government’s actions under the FLLoCA framework, ensuring that locally driven climate adaptation initiatives are informed by robust scientific data. The collaborative efforts are anticipated to help Nakuru adapt to the impacts of climate change by providing timely information on air quality, temperature, rainfall, and other relevant factors accessible through a smartphone app and digital dashboard.
The County government is focused on collaborating with the County Climate Unit (CCU) to implement the National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS). This framework aims to ensure that climate data, forecasts, and advisories are effectively integrated into county planning, policy-making, and development practices across various sectors such as agriculture, health, water, and disaster risk reduction.
County Director of Meteorology Julius Kilemba and County Climate Unit Director Ms. Grace Karanja, who accompanied Dr. Maara, emphasized the importance of accurate and timely climate information for building resilience among communities vulnerable to climate change. The Deputy Director of IMTR, Edward Muriuki, indicated that county governments are critical actors in Kenya’s responses to the challenges posed by climate change. He observed that the proximity of devolved units to grassroots communities makes them pivotal in developing and executing home-grown climate action strategies tailored to their specific environmental and socio-economic conditions.