Kenya and France have moved to strengthen cooperation in weather and climate services following the signing of a Statement of Intent aimed at modernising Kenya’s meteorological systems.
The agreement between the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority and Meteo France International was signed at State House Nairobi in a ceremony witnessed by William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron.
The partnership seeks to modernise Kenya’s national meteorological infrastructure through improved observational networks, upgraded information systems, operational applications and enhanced flood risk management capacity.
According to the agreement, the programme is expected to improve the delivery of weather and climate information services that are critical to sectors such as agriculture, disaster risk reduction, environmental management and economic planning.
The cooperation brings together the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority, a state agency under the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, and Meteo France International, the global implementation arm of France’s national meteorological authority.
Officials said the agreement follows years of technical and financial discussions aimed at developing a framework for the modernisation project, with Kenya seeking to benefit from France’s expertise and technology transfer in meteorological services.
Under the proposed cooperation, Kenya aims to strengthen its institutional and technical capacity to provide accurate and timely weather and climate information amid increasing demand for climate-related services.
The initiative is also expected to boost the country’s preparedness and resilience against extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.
The Statement of Intent was signed on behalf of the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority by Acting Director General Edward M. Muriuki and on behalf of Meteo France International by President Jean-Sébastien Cases.
Also present during the signing ceremony were Environment Cabinet Secretary Debora Barasa and Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno.
Got a news tip? Please send us an email at info@nairobidaily.com
