KENYA International Training Course on Tropical Cyclone: 5th– 16th Dec. 2011, WMO

Regional Training Center, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

Ismael M. Lutta

mulama@meteo.go.ke

Meteorologist

Kenya Meteorological Department

Kenya

OUTLINE

Introduction Climate of Kenya Infrastructure Cities Tourism Agriculture Kenya Meteorological Dept. Tropical Cyclones

KENYA

• Area: Approx. 582650 km2 ,• 47 Counties & 42 tribes• Capital City : Nairobi• Pop: Approx. 40M• Religion: Majority are

Christians• Features: Lakes,

Mountains, Rivers• Political: Democratic • Economic: Mainly (1)

agriculture. (2) Tourism (3) established financial & educational institutions (4) Manufacturing

KENYA CLIMATE

curtsey of commopress.blogspot.com

• Bi-modal Rainfall Pattern

• Kenya receives an annual average rainfall of 790mm

INFRASTRUCTURE

KENYAN CITIES

KENYAN TOURISM

…Cont

AGRICULTURE

KENYA OBSERVATORIES

CLIMATE SYSTEM

Tropical climate-Hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland. Average temperatures 20-300C.

Northern parts semi arid while the rest of the country receives approximately 1000mm of rainfall per year. Two rainy seasons (MAM and OND)

Controlling systems: subtropical highs, Congo forest, local

relief (lakes) and the oceans

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Service Department headed by : Director 4 Deputy Directors. 9 Senior Assistant directors 39 Assistant Directors The rest of officers include Meteorologists, Met

technologist, engineers and other support staff totalling to about 600

Organization and structures Observational networks Derived from Strategic plan

STRATEGIC VISION, MISSIONVision

To be the leading world-class Operational Forecasting Centre and Scientific Institution contributing to high quality of life.

MissionTo provide and facilitate accessible Meteorological Information and Services and infusion of Scientific Knowledge to spur social-economic growth and development.

OBJECTIVESTo improve monitoring of meteorological

elements and atmospheric pollution; and detection of climate change

To provide more accurate and timely meteorological information and services;

Transform KMD into a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA)

Enhance Human CapitalImprove awareness among users of

meteorological information and services for enhanced applications

Enhance Research for Development

… cont’dRelocate KMD Hqs and TX station to the new site at Ngong to create space for expansion of WMO-RTC.

Upgrade the WMO Regional Training Centre (RTC)-Nairobi

Establish a Regional Meteorological Research Centre (RMRC)

CHALLENGESInadequate observational networkPoor communication ,

dissemination and processing systems

Underfunding by the governmentRapid changes in technologyLack of incentives for research and

developmentSuccession management problems

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS WeaknessesThe Weaknesses that the Department experiences

that impact negatively on efficiency and effective service delivery include:

Underfunding to the Department;Poor succession management due to embargo

on recruitment;Inadequate meteorological facilities and

equipment;Inadequate physical facilities;Lack of sufficient space for expansion of

Meteorological Infrastructure at the Hqs;Poor perception of meteorological services at

all levels;Lack of Quality Assurance;.Lack of legal and institutional Framework;Lack of incentives for Research and

Development

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS cont…ThreatsRapid changes in technologies

a) Meteorological instruments and equipment development

b) ICTc) Uncontrolled dissemination of meteorological information by institutions

Slow pace of transformation to a SAGAEmerging competitors in the provision of

meteorological services

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS cont…Impacts of HIV/AIDS, Malaria pandemic

and other diseases on customers; and staff

Government policy that imposes a levy on staff that are on training for more than 28 days;

Poor remuneration;Interference of transmission signals

through construction of buildings around the transmitting station at Industrial Area site;

Loss of meteorological station land to private developers;

Vandalism on meteorological installations; and

Gender imbalance.

Tropical Cyclones• The socio-economic impact of tropical cyclones is

considerable.• The assessment of climate change effects on tropical

cyclones is necessary, both in terms of occurrences and tracks.

• Cyclone activity may be affected by the changes in SST.• For instance, ENSO is known to influence TCs frequency

in different ocean basins.• The impacts of long-term SST trends on the cyclone

frequency in each ocean basin need to be documented.

TROPICAL CYCLONE MONITERING TOOLS

MONITORING, DETECTION & FORECASTING OF TCs

HRM MODEL USED IN FORECASTING

WAY FORWARD1) Expansion and modernization of the

existing observational network.2) Improvement and modernization of

telecommunication, processing and archival of data and forecasting and dissemination of weather products

3) Fast-track the privatisation process4) Recruitment of new staff

END

THANK YOU, AHSANTENI, XIEXIE