The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) is set to transition into a state corporation, a move aimed at enhancing climate services and supporting national resilience.
Speaking on Monday during the 72nd Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 72) organised by IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), Environmental and Climate Change Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno said a Bill has been submitted to Parliament, and once approved, KMD will operate with expanded legal and financial mandates to strengthen forecasting, early warning systems and climate information delivery across the country.
“I’m pleased to note that Kenya is currently spearheading a national Meteorological Services Bill, now before Parliament. We are just waiting for the Senate to convene. We were to deliver this as a gift for Christmas last year, but we missed it by a whisker. As soon as the Senate approves the Bill, the Kenya Meteorological Department will transition into a State Corporation, which is a big milestone for us as a country,” Ng’eno said.
He urged regional partners to support KMD in its new status.
“We want to ask you, at the onset, to start supporting KMD as a state corporation. Don’t look at it again as a department. I have only a few months with them before they are on their own, and we are working closely with Parliament,” he added.
The PS explained that the Bill is designed to strengthen KMD’s legal mandate to deliver high-quality climate and weather services, both nationally and internationally. The Meteorology Bill, 2023, is designed to reform Kenya’s meteorological sector by replacing the current Department of Meteorology with a new semi-autonomous body, the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority, to regulate, coordinate and provide meteorological services across the country.
Ng’eno noted that the government is also exploring innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms, including allocating a portion of proceeds from air navigation services to support KMD.
“Such investments will enhance observational networks, forecasting capacity and last-mile service delivery, directly contributing to resilience and sustainable development across the country,” he said, assuring that the transition would be completed by June or July this year.
The forum, held at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi, officially saw the release of the March–May 2026 regional seasonal climate outlook, highlighting expected climate conditions and implications for agriculture, food security, water, health, disaster risk management and livelihoods across the Greater Horn of Africa.
PS Ng’eno emphasised Kenya’s leadership role in advancing climate services regionally and globally. He highlighted the critical role of climate services in guiding practical actions across sectors.
“Climate services enable governments, communities, and the private sector to anticipate risks, plan and take early action. They support farmers to make informed farming decisions, pastoralists to manage pastures and mobility, health systems to anticipate disease outbreaks, energy planners to optimise generation, and disaster management agencies to protect lives and livelihoods,” he said.
He emphasised the shift from producing climate information to co-producing climate services, ensuring data is accessible and responsive to user needs at community, national and regional levels.
“Platforms such as GHACOF exemplify this approach by bringing together scientists, sector experts, policymakers, and users to jointly interpret climate outlooks and translate them into actionable guidance,” he said.
Ng’eno also reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to global initiatives, including the UN’s Early Warning for All initiative, and the National Early Warning system launched in 2025.
“The President of the Republic of Kenya has been designated a WMO champion by the UN as the Early Warning for All champion. Kenya provides leadership in this regard, ensuring timely and effective early warning systems protect every Kenyan,” he said.