NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) has moved to strengthen real-time weather monitoring through a collaboration with the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) under the TEMBO Africa Project.
The discussions were held at the KALRO–Tea Research Institute (KALRO–TRI), where Institute Director Lilian Kerio hosted KMD Deputy Director for Research and Education Richard Muita and Mr. Sedah Abdal.
The TEMBO Africa Project, short for Transforming Environmental Monitoring for Boosting Observation in Africa, aims to improve early warning systems for extreme weather events, including hailstorms, frost, and above-normal rainfall that may lead to flooding.
Under the project, advanced forecasting systems will provide real-time weather updates at 15, 30, 45-minute, and hourly intervals. This marks a significant shift from conventional 24-hour forecasts and is expected to enhance preparedness across multiple sectors.
KALRO and KMD said the system will support agriculture planning, disaster risk reduction, and aviation safety through timely and location-specific weather information.
During the meeting, the teams identified a suitable site at the KALRO–TRI weather station for the installation of radar sensor equipment. Once operational, the radar signal is expected to cover a radius of about 200 kilometres.
The coverage will benefit several counties, including Nakuru, Nandi, Kisii, Kisumu, Bomet, and Narok, regions that are vulnerable to weather-related agricultural losses and flooding.
The collaboration aligns with Kenya’s broader climate resilience and food security agenda, which emphasises early warning systems, data-driven decision-making, and inter-agency coordination.
Also present at the meeting were Rodah Ruto and Kenneth Terer from SEMC–CED. Nyayo Tea Zone Regional Manager Maina later paid a courtesy call to the Institute.
The initiative underscores growing efforts by Kenyan public institutions to integrate science, technology, and policy in responding to climate variability and extreme weather risks.
