NAIROBI, Kenya (ChatnewsTV) — At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), UK Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds announced a Ksh 660 million (£4 million) boost to Kenya’s weather and climate information services.
According to a statement from UK Foreign Office, the funding is part of a larger £30 million (Ksh 4.8 billion) increase to the Africa-wide Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER) programme, aimed at improving adaptation to climate hazards.
The new funding will enhance early warning systems to better predict and respond to extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and storms.
“Weather and climate services help us all to prepare better,” said British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan. “WISER has supported farmers and communities across Kenya — from Lake Victoria to Kibera — to anticipate and reduce the impact of severe weather.”
In partnership with the Kenya Meteorological Department, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate Predictions and Applications Centre (ICPAC), and the Kenya Red Cross, WISER will work closely with local communities, especially women and girls, to ensure they have timely and relevant weather data.
“This funding will greatly enhance the capacity of leading early warning and humanitarian institutions in Kenya,” said Philip Omondi Amingo, Senior Climate Scientist at ICPAC.
He emphasized that improved forecasting would reduce risks to communities, enabling action before extreme weather hits.
Kenya, which faced its worst drought in 40 years last year and severe flooding that displaced over 15,000 households in 2024, stands to benefit significantly from the initiative. The funds will support projects like the DARAJA initiative, which provides early weather warnings to marginalized communities in informal settlements. Previous phases of WISER delivered more accurate weather forecasts for Lake Victoria, resulting in a 30% decrease in weather-related deaths and generating Ksh 5.6 billion ($44 million) in economic benefits for fishing communities.
With this expanded support, WISER aims to co-design services with communities in regions like Garissa and Tana River, focusing on accurate and practical weather information that can mitigate the impacts of climate shocks.
Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane highlighted the urgent need for reliable climate data.
“Garissa’s vulnerable communities require timely and practical data to mitigate climate risks,” Dagane said at the recent launch of the WISER Kenya project in the county, emphasizing the importance of accurate information for building climate resilience.
The funding will play a critical role in supporting vulnerable communities to prepare for future climate challenges, aiming for a broader impact on the region’s capacity to manage extreme weather events.
