Editor's Review
The government has unveiled plans to leverage Safaricom’s extensive telecommunications mast network to improve weather monitoring and environmental data collection.
The government has unveiled plans to leverage Safaricom’s extensive telecommunications mast network to improve weather monitoring, environmental data collection and early warning systems across the country through Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 28, Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno said the initiative would support efforts to modernise the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) and strengthen the country’s capacity to provide timely and accurate weather and climate information.
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"Modernising the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) is a top priority as we strengthen the country’s capacity to deliver timely, accurate and actionable weather and climate information," he wrote.
Ng’eno held discussions with a team from KMSA led by Acting Director General Edward Muriuki, alongside Safaricom Head of IT Felix Rop and a representative of Agrimet Data, to explore how IoT technology could expand and improve Kenya’s weather observation network.
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The discussions focused on the potential of connected monitoring systems to collect environmental information in real time and combine data from different sources to generate specialised insights for weather forecasting and other environmental applications.
"The technology, already tested in other settings, can collect environmental data in real time and integrate information from multiple sources to generate specialised insights," the statement added.
According to Ng'eno, the proposed plan involves exploring the deployment of IoT-enabled monitoring systems across Safaricom’s telecommunications mast network, which could provide additional infrastructure for gathering environmental data across the country.
He said the technology could also support air quality monitoring and disease surveillance, in addition to improving the collection of information needed for weather forecasting.
"We are exploring the potential of deploying IoT-enabled monitoring systems across Safaricom’s extensive telecommunications mast network to improve environmental data collection and support air quality monitoring, disease surveillance and weather forecasting," the statement further read.
Through partnerships with telecommunications and data technology providers, KMSA could improve its observation capabilities and provide information to support decision-making, particularly in areas vulnerable to extreme weather events and climate-related risks.
"Through strategic public-private partnerships and technological innovation, we aim to modernise KMSA, strengthen early warning systems and provide reliable, actionable information that supports decision-making, protects lives and livelihoods, and advances Kenya’s climate resilience," the statement concluded.
This comes days after Kenya Met warned of heavy rainfall exceeding 20mm within 24 hours across 45 counties over the next seven days.
In a weather forecast on Sunday, October 25, KMSA said the heavy rainfall will be accompanied by gusty winds, with strong southerly to southeasterly winds exceeding 25 knots in coastal, eastern and northern regions.
"Moderate to heavy rainfall exceeding 20 mm within 24 hours is anticipated over the counties in Coast, Northeastern, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, the Central Highlands (including some parts of Nairobi) and parts of the Southeastern Lowlands.
"The rainfall is likely to be accompanied by gusty winds and strong southerly to southeasterly winds exceeding 25 knots (12.5 m/s) over coastal, eastern and northern regions," read the forecast in part.
The counties set to experience heavy downpour include Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo, Migori, Nyamira, Bungoma, Busia and Kakamega.
Others are Vihiga, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Kisii, Kericho, Bomet, Kiambu, Embu, Murang’a and Kirinyaga.
Nyandarua, Nyeri, Laikipia, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, Narok, Kajiado, Nairobi, Taita Taveta, Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties will also receive heavy rains during the week.
