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Garissa and Tana River Counties, Kenya, to benefit from the UK WISER early warning system

Kenya has taken a major step towards climate risk preparedness with the official launch of the Tana River Basin Early Warning System (EWS) Initiative. A high-level consultative meeting held at a Naivasha hotel marked the rollout of the Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) global initiative in Garissa and Tana River counties, supported by the United Kingdom through the WISER Kenya project.

The initiative, to be implemented by the UK Met Office in partnership with the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), and the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), is part of the broader Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa (WISER-Kenya) project.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is funding the project, which focuses on strengthening climate resilience among vulnerable communities, targeting people living with disabilities (PWDs), women, the elderly, and the youth.

Mr. Charles Mugah, Deputy Director of KMD, pointed out that this launch is a testimony of the shared commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods from climate-related disasters, and that the Tana Basin EWS will serve as a model for early warning systems in Africa.

The Tana River Basin spans over 100,000 square kilometres, with a population of 6.96 million, according to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, and a population density of 55 persons per square kilometre.

The majority of the population’s livelihoods are dependent on agriculture, pastoralism, and fishing, while the River Tana is key in hydroelectric power generation. Extreme weather events, including cyclical droughts and the El Niño-triggered floods of 2023, are heavily impacting livelihoods.

According to Dr. Phillip Omondi, WISER Kenya Lead, it is evident that climate shocks have become more intense and frequent, and the only way forward is through collective action.

He added that this collaborative effort highlights how international partnerships, local expertise, and community engagement can work together to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and development gains in Kenya and beyond.

The Tana River basin Early Warning System (EWS) Initiative seeks to provide timely, reliable, and impact-based forecasts that empower communities to take early action and mitigate risk.

The consultative forum brought together key national and county stakeholders, including representatives from KMD, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), Water Resources Authority (WRA), National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), National Irrigation Authority (NIA), and senior officials from the counties of Garissa and Tana River.

Technical discussions during the meeting focused on the co-production of climate services, data sharing protocols, and the design of locally relevant warning messages. Capacity-building efforts and stakeholder engagement were also prioritized to ensure communities are not only warned but are equipped to respond effectively.