Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has introduced a bill seeking to establish a new regulatory framework for meteorological services in Kenya.
The Meteorology Bill 2023 aims to set up the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority to provide, regulate, coordinate and manage meteorological services across the country. Cheruiyot said in a statement that the bill’s “principal object” is putting in place legislative foundations to govern weather forecasting and climate monitoring.
“The Authority shall be responsible for the provision of meteorological services in Kenya and be the principal technical advisor to the National and County Governments on matters related to meteorology,” the bill states.
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The agency would take over operations currently handled by the nation’s meteorological department. Its duties would include maintaining observation networks, operating forecasting systems, distributing weather alerts and warnings, conducting meteorological training and research, and providing climate change assessments.
The bill also proposes establishing a Meteorology Training and Research Directorate as “the successor to the Institute for Meteorological Training and Research.” This arm would serve as a World Meteorological Organization certified regional center for professional instruction in meteorology and related fields.
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Financial provisions in the legislation cover funding sources like government budget allocations, service fees, grants and parliamentary appropriations. The Authority’s board of directors would oversee finances, investments, staff pay and audits in consultation with Kenya’s Treasury.
“The annual estimates shall make provision for all the estimated expenditure of the Authority for the financial year in question,” the bill says.
The bill empowers the Authority to “act as the principal technical adviser on meteorological matters to both the National and County Governments,” Cheruiyot noted. Areas like environmental conservation and disaster management represent shared duties under the Constitution.
If passed, the law would transfer assets, rights and contracts from the existing Meteorological Department to the new Authority. Technical staff would remain employed during the transition.
Cheruiyot stated that the bill is not a money bill requiring special procedures under Kenya’s Constitution.
