President William Ruto has reiterated Kenya’s commitment to strengthening its climate resilience through strategic investments in accurate data systems and early warning mechanisms, positioning the country as a leader in the regional response to climate change.
In a statement released after a high-level meeting with World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Director-General Celeste Saulo at State House Nairobi, President Ruto underscored the urgency of equipping Kenya and the broader East African region with modern tools to confront the growing climate crisis. “Accurate data and early warning systems are essential for building climate resilience and achieving sustainable development,” Ruto said. “We are proud to contribute meaningfully to the global climate agenda and to play a critical role in our region.”
The Head of State emphasized that the government is working closely with development partners, the private sector, and global institutions like the WMO to overhaul outdated meteorological systems and replace them with cutting-edge technologies. This includes the modernization of weather monitoring equipment, upgrading technical infrastructure, and enhancing forecasting capabilities to better predict and respond to natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and cyclones.
Kenya’s investment in meteorological services is expected to support critical sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, public health, energy, and aviation, all of which are heavily dependent on accurate and timely climate information. “Our aim is to increase national preparedness, protect lives and livelihoods, and ensure that communities have access to early warning systems that can save lives,” the President added.
WMO Director-General Saulo lauded Kenya’s proactive approach and pledged the organization’s full support in strengthening the country’s climate monitoring and forecasting capabilities. She highlighted the importance of partnerships in building regional climate resilience, especially in vulnerable areas where the impacts of climate change are being felt most acutely.
President Ruto also expressed optimism that the deepening of this partnership will not only serve Kenya’s national goals but also contribute to global efforts to tackle climate change through knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and joint action.
The meeting comes at a time when Africa is experiencing increasingly erratic weather patterns, with prolonged droughts and devastating floods affecting food security and economic stability. Kenya’s leadership in this space is expected to catalyze more regional cooperation and investment in climate-smart infrastructure.
As global temperatures continue to rise and weather events become more extreme, the President emphasized that the time to act is now. “This partnership marks a turning point in how we approach climate action not just with commitment, but with the right tools, the right data, and the right collaborations,” he said.
