Lack of equipment slowing Weatherman department

Lack of modern equipment has crippled the Meteorological Department's effectiveness in weather forecasting, a top official has said.

Deputy Director Samuel Mwangi told The Standard the country does not have up-to-date surveillance equipment that can be used to quickly predict weather conditions.

“We do not have a weather surveillance radar that would have helped us warn Kenyans about the impending wind storm experienced yesterday (Tuesday),” said Mr Mwangi.

Mwangi said the Meteorological Department had unsuccessfully requested the Government to buy the system that can predict changing weather conditions in as little as an hour.

“The system is very expensive, probably between Sh100 million and Sh200 million, and we need at least five to serve the whole country."

Martin Chunza, another Met official, said the initial request to purchase the equipment hit a dead end shortly after the Anglo-Leasing scandal was exposed.

Tanzania and Uganda have installed the radar systems mostly along the Lake Victoria, which is considered one of their major economic hubs.

Mr Chunza said the dusty nature of Tuesday's windstorm was the result of dry conditions being experienced across the country.

“In areas that have rain, the impact of the dust, which hindered visibility, was minimal,” he said.

According to the Met Department, the windstorm originated from the Indian Ocean and Arusha in Tanzania.

“What we are experiencing is a deep convective system in the southern section of Kenya. This system is moving from the coastal Kenya as it propagates inland towards the south east lowlands, Nairobi and central parts of Kenya."

Chunza defended the Met from accusations of incompetence, saying some natural occurrences were beyond the department's capability to predict.

The windstorm hit parts of Nairobi, Kirinyaga and Kitui in the afternoon. It ripped off roofs from buildings and caused major power outages in many of the affected areas.

The Meteorological Department also urged the public to brace itself for short rains later this month.