As climate change continues to bring more frequent droughts, floods and unpredictable weather across Kenya, experts are calling for stronger partnerships to ensure weather and climate information reaches the people who need it most.
Government agencies, climate scientists, civil society organizations, private sector representatives and media practitioners made the call during the National Workshop on Synergy Building in Weather and Climate Partnerships at Naivasha.
The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration so that accurate weather forecasts and early warning information can better protect lives, livelihoods and property.
Participants said no single institution can effectively address the growing impacts of climate change alone, instead, they stressed the importance of working together to ensure reliable weather and climate information supports decision-making at every level, from national governments to local communities.
Accurate weather forecasts play an important role in everyday life, farmers rely on seasonal forecasts to decide when to plant their crops, and pastoralists use the information to plan grazing and livestock movements, while disaster response agencies depend on early warnings to prepare communities before floods, droughts and storms strike. The information also supports sectors such as health, water, transport and energy.
Climate scientist Dr. Titike Bahaga from the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), who also serves as the organization’s focal person for partnerships and resource mobilization, said strong partnerships help bridge the gap between climate science and the decisions people make every day.
He said ICPAC works with national meteorological agencies and regional partners through initiatives such as the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF) and National Climate Outlook Forums to ensure climate information is accurate, reliable and accessible to those who need it.
“Our goal is to ensure climate information reaches the last mile, including communities, governments and policymakers, so they can make informed decisions and prepare for climate risks,” Dr. Bahaga said.
According to Dr. Bahaga, the partnership programme has already produced positive results. Besides strengthening climate services in key sectors such as agriculture and water, it is now expanding into the education sector to help schools and learning institutions better understand climate risks.
He said organizers are also working to integrate the partnership activities into the National Climate Outlook Forum to ensure they continue beyond the current project.
“We have also strengthened the capacity of journalists and professionals working in climate-sensitive sectors so they can better communicate climate information to the public,” he added.
Speaking during the workshop, Bahati Musilu, Principal Meteorological Technologist at the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority (KMSA), said partnerships have become increasingly important in improving climate services across the country.
She explained that through the National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS), Kenya Meteorological Services Authority (KMSA), works with government institutions, researchers, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen weather observation networks, improve access to early warning information and build the capacity of those who produce and use climate information.
Musilu said KMSA also works closely with sectors including agriculture, livestock, water, health, energy and disaster management through the National Climate Outlook Forums and other collaborative platforms.
“These forums bring different stakeholders together to jointly produce weather and climate information that supports better planning and informed decision-making,” she said.
Participants agreed that the media plays a vital role in ensuring weather forecasts and early warning information reach communities quickly and accurately. They encouraged journalists to work closely with meteorological experts to translate technical information into simple language that ordinary citizens can understand and use.
Civil society organizations also called for greater community participation, saying local people should not only receive weather information but also contribute their knowledge and experiences to climate discussions. Meanwhile, private sector representatives encouraged greater investment in technology and innovation to improve weather monitoring and communication systems.
Despite the progress made, participants acknowledged several challenges, including limited financial resources, weak coordination among institutions and low public awareness of available climate services. They agreed that regular communication, information sharing and stronger partnerships would help overcome these obstacles.
The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, improve the sharing of weather and climate information and support initiatives that build resilient communities.
As Kenya continues to experience the effects of climate change, participants said stronger partnerships will be critical in ensuring that timely and reliable weather information reaches every corner of the country. They expressed hope that by working together, communities will be better prepared to respond to climate shocks, protect their livelihoods and build a safe and more resilient future.
