This archive report was first published on 3 October 2019.
Published on October 3, 2019, a top Meteorological Department official has spoken out about the country's inadequate weather forecasting capabilities. Deputy Director Samuel Mwangi attributed the department's ineffectiveness to a lack of modern surveillance equipment.
According to Mwangi, the country does not have up-to-date equipment that can quickly predict weather conditions, leaving the public without timely warnings. He specifically cited the recent windstorm that hit parts of Nairobi, Kirinyaga, and Kitui, saying that a weather surveillance radar would have helped warn Kenyans about the impending storm.
Mwangi revealed that the department had requested the government to purchase the necessary equipment, which can cost between Sh100 million and Sh200 million, but the request was met with a dead end shortly after the Anglo-Leasing scandal was exposed. In contrast, neighboring Tanzania and Uganda have installed radar systems along the Lake Victoria, a major economic hub.
Met official Martin Chunza defended the department from accusations of incompetence, stating that some natural occurrences are beyond the department's capability to predict. Chunza also attributed the dusty nature of the windstorm to dry conditions experienced across the country.
The Meteorological Department has urged the public to prepare for short rains later this month.
