In an effort to access accurate and timely information, the Meteorological Department in Kiambu County successively installed meteorological instruments spread out in 12 institutions during the 2019/2020 Financial year.
According to a report seen by KNA, the instruments will be used for resource planning, decision making and safety of property and lives for the people of Kiambu County.
The County Meteorology Director, Ms. Madgalene Gateri told KNA from her office on Friday that the equipment had been installed in respective locations following consultation with the heads of the institutions where it was deemed to be safe from vandals as they were prone to being vandalized by people who did not know the importance of monitoring the weather.
Some years back, the instrument which had been installed in Ragia forest was trampled by the elephants, therefore making it difficult for officers to get the required data.
Ms. Gateri further noted that the institutions would also aid in offering daily monitoring of data so that the department would access the timely information and use it accordingly without any alteration.
“Quarterly inspection that entails service, maintenance and calibration of these instruments are a requisite for accurate data that aid production of accurate weather forecasts, therefore the need to have as many as possible,” she said.
During installation at the Loreto Girls High School in Limuru last month, KNA noted the interest exhibited by the Geography students when the team arrived at their school after identifying the institution as ideal point of rain data collection.
With enthusiasm, the over 100 girls listened keenly and even volunteered to be taking the data on a daily basis from the new rain gauge that was installed behind the administration block.
The Meteorological Director with consultation from the school management handed over the data cards to some two students who would be monitoring and recording data and thereafter sending returns to the Metrological headquarters.
Apart from improving data collection network, the rain gauges also expose learners to skills in collection, recording and analysis of environmental data and socio-economic implications thereof.
During the installation, the learners also get the chance of learning more about various meteorological instruments and their functions.
The centres included St. Ann’s Suresh in Chania Ward of Gatundu North, Broadways High school and Kimuchi primary school both in Township ward of Thika West Sub-county, Mang’u Boys High school, Kimende and Alliance Boys Secondary school.
Other institutions where the instruments were installed were Ruiru GK Prison, Makwa coffee farm, the Deputy County Commissioner’s office in Githunguri, Uplands Forest station and Juja Nkanini Farm in Sharom estate which is privately owned and has well-kept records/rainfall data available from year 2003 which the department has relied on for monitoring of the weather from Juja Sub-county of Kiambu County.
By Lydia Shiloya
