MPs query proposal to establish new weather agency

National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Environment Forestry and Mining vice chair Charles Kamuren/HANDOUT

 

MPs have questioned the need of establishing Kenya Meteorological Service Authority at a time when the country is reducing public institutions like recent dissolution of Kenya Water Towers Agency.

Members of the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Environment Forestry and Mining consequently called for a consultative sitting with the Kenya Meteorological Department together and the State Department of Environment and Climate Change over the need to establish the authority.

"Members, the concerns you are raising here are important. Kericho County MP Beatrice Kemei has questioned the need to establish the authority when we already have the Meteorological Department in the country, I therefore want to request that we have a sitting with the concerned stakeholders to interact and talk out all the concerns raised in this sitting. We need to be told the essence of having this authority when we already have the Kenya Meteorological Department,” committee vice chair Charles Kamuren pronounced. 

"We can also encourage the meteorological department to widen their scope, capacity and logistical means because I believe they have the capacity to achieve what we are looking for,” added, Kamuren, who is also the MP for Baringo South.

Turkana Central MP Joseph Emathe underscored the need to integrate the Meteorological Bill, 2023 with the traditional ways of weather prediction—early warning systems (EWS).

Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo supported his sentiments.

"The Bill needs to be enriched in an engagement with concerned departments, we have communities who still use traditional ways of weather prediction for early warnings, this will help address the challenges, especially meteorological shortcomings on weather prediction", said Emathe.

Ngogoyo while making his input questioned the need to have the board of management comprising of only degree holders.

He requested that the provision be struck off and only reserved for chairperson and other professional offices if the Authority will come to life. He further said this will give youths a room to serve.

The Bill is sponsored by the Senate Majority Leader Hon. Aaron Cheruiyot.

It's principal objective is to provide a legal framework for the establishment of the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority, regulation, co-ordination, monitoring, management, provision and Control of meteorological services and for connected purposes.