Commissioning and handing over of the Automatic Weather Stations to Kenya Met Department
The government has set up an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) in Machakos in a move meant to address issues of climate change.
The AWS which is among 154 others set up in 24 counties at a total cost of Sh500 million have been sponsored by the World Bank through the Kenya Climate-Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP).
Speaking during the official commissioning of the weather station at the Machakos Agricultural Center Wednesday, Principal Secretary Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Dr. Chris Kiptoo said the AWS will also help increase agricultural productivity.
“KSCAP is one of the projects in the Ministry of Agriculture that addresses issues of climate change focusing on increasing agricultural productivity, enhancing resilience to impacts of climate change and reduction in GreenHouse Gases emissions,” said Dr. Kiptoo.
He pointed out that the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) plays a very crucial role in socio-economic development through its mandate of providing timely and accurate weather forecasts and advisories.