MMUST-KMD teams inspect the Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at the University.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology is ready to collect and record climate data in real time, following the digitization of its weather station. The data collected at the station will automatically be transmitted to a special computer, located at the University’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Laboratory. On Monday, 15 April, 2024, MMUST hosted a team from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), who not only assessed the progress of the weather station, but also helped with the configuration of the computer hardware system. The visitors were received by the Dean-School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA)- Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa.
“MMUST envisions to be part of the global space on matters meteorological data collection and reporting. With the digitization of the weather station, this University is indeed on the right track to leading the fight against climate change in Kenya,” stated Dr. Nabiswa. The Dean-SDMHA also revealed that his School has been working with the Institute of Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Studies and Climate Change (IIKCSCC), led by Prof. Josephine Ngaira, to push the climate action agenda. He added, “The Memorandum of Understanding between MMUST and KMD is being fine-tuned by the Directorate of International Relations and Academic Linkages and we hope to sign it as soon as possible.”
Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa explains a point during the visit by the Kenya Meteorological Department at the MMUST weather station.
The Deputy Director, in charge of Meteorological Services (Western Region)-Mr. Peter Macharia, pointed out that increasing the number of weather stations, like the one in MMUST, has enabled the Department to produce accurate predictions. “We are determined to revamp the MMUST weather station, so much so that it captures the entire meteorological parameters,” he said.
“Kenya Met has had close relations with MMUST and together we have conducted a number of projects including the establishment of this weather station. Some of our staff have been trained in this University, while others have joined the Department of Emergency Management Studies housed in the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance,” stated the Deputy Director, Aviation Meteorological Services-Mr. Charles Mugah. Further, Mr. Mugah reiterated that many weather stations are a plus for KMD, as they help to improve the accuracy of the information relayed by the Department, as well as assist them in their research.
Eng. Kennedy Obongo leads the MMUST and KMD teams to configure the computer hardware system at the GIS lab.
The Kakamega County Director of Meteorological Services-Mr. Vincent Sakwa, acknowledged that MMUST is endowed with scientists who are well-versed in weather and climate data collection, saying that this is crucial to producing quality statistics. He also commended the University for having great security, because the equipment at the weather station have remained intact. Notably, the KMD team was accompanied by Eng. Kennedy Obongo, as well as Mr. Arthur Kuria.
The Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology digitization of the data collected at the weather station will certainly improve weather forecasting accuracy not only in the Western region, but also in the entire country. This move will without doubt place MMUST at the forefront of meteorological data collection and reporting, and of combating climate change and its impacts.
