The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has urged Kenya to prioritize investments in weather, hydrological, and climate services, highlighting their role in safeguarding communities and economies. Dr. Joshua Ngaina, Project Officer at the WMO Representative Office for Eastern and Southern Africa, stressed that early flood warnings and reliable forecasts are vital for preparedness, enabling farmers, water managers, and transport providers to mitigate risks. Speaking at the National Expert Elicitation Workshop on the Socioeconomic Cost-Benefit Analysis of Weather, Hydrological, and Climate Services in Nairobi, Ngaina noted that accurate climate information drives better decision-making, reduces losses, and enhances the effectiveness of investments. The workshop, part of the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems for East Africa (CREWS-EA) project, aimed to quantify the socioeconomic value of hydrometeorological services across six East African nations—Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan.
Ngaina called on media outlets to ensure precise reporting of early warning information, emphasizing that accurate coverage empowers governments and individuals to respond to weather patterns. He also highlighted that findings from the study would support the newly established Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) and partner institutions in securing resources. KMSA Acting Director Edward Muriuki underscored that weather and climate data only deliver value when it informs decisions in sectors vulnerable to climate risks. He pointed out that Kenya’s economy, heavily reliant on weather-sensitive industries, could benefit from timely and reliable information to anticipate risks and improve planning. The workshop brought together technical experts and sector representatives to evaluate the socioeconomic impact of hydrometeorological investments, focusing on infrastructure, forecasting, and communication systems.
The assessment, conducted under WMO HydroHub and CREWS-EA frameworks, examined Kenya’s hydrometeorological service chain—from monitoring and observation to forecasting, dissemination, and user interpretation—linking these processes to tangible socioeconomic outcomes. Participants emphasized that the study does not isolate weather data or infrastructure but evaluates how improved information leads to better decisions and reduced risks. By analyzing the incremental benefits of enhanced monitoring and forecasting, the project seeks to provide governments and financiers with evidence to justify increased funding for climate services. This approach aims to strengthen national capabilities to demonstrate the social and economic returns of hydrometeorological investments, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather events.
The findings are expected to influence policy and resource allocation, ensuring that climate services align with the needs of sectors such as agriculture, energy, and disaster management. With East Africa facing increasing climate variability, the study underscores the importance of evidence-based strategies to build resilience. Dr. Ngaina reiterated that reliable climate information is not just a technical necessity but a cornerstone for sustainable development, urging stakeholders to leverage the study’s insights to drive impactful, long-term investments in weather and hydrological systems.