ICTs at the Heart of Kenya’s Early Warning Initiative to Save Lives and Livelihoods
The Government has launched a transformative initiative designed to protect citizens from the growing threats of climate-induced disasters—placing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the centre of its strategy.
The Early Warnings for All Initiative leverages digital innovation and data systems to build a robust, tech-driven framework for disaster preparedness and response. The initiative is structured around four pillars: data collection and risk assessment, observation and forecasting, dissemination and communication, and community response capabilities—all of which are highly reliant on ICT systems. This approach aims to significantly improve the country’s ability to predict and respond to emergencies such as floods, droughts, and disease outbreaks—disasters that are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
Recent findings highlight a major challenge in Africa: significant gaps in climate observation data. Without accurate and timely data, predicting future climate conditions becomes increasingly difficult. By investing in ICT-enabled infrastructure, Kenya aims to bridge this data gap through digital monitoring networks, automated weather stations, and geospatial technologies.
Mr. Stephen Isaboke, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, emphasized the urgent need to strengthen early warning systems amid escalating climate-related disasters. “From prolonged droughts to sudden floods, the human and economic costs are rising,” he said. “Early warning systems save lives and are among the most cost-effective tools for disaster risk reduction.” Central to the government’s efforts is the use of technology and data to ensure timely, localized, and accessible warnings.
“We must harness digital infrastructure, mobile connectivity, artificial intelligence, and community media to reach every citizen, especially the vulnerable,” Mr. Isaboke noted. As the national lead for Pillar 3—Dissemination and Communication—under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) framework, the Ministry, through the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), has introduced several robust measures:
• Emergency telecom provisions in all telecom licenses.
• Public emergency broadcasting obligations.
• Allocation of emergency numbers such as 999 and 112.
• Network resilience frameworks and expanded infrastructure in remote areas via the Universal Service Fund.
• Ongoing development of a National Addressing System.
Additionally, the Ministry is spearheading the rollout of a cell broadcast emergency alerting system using the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), ensuring that alerts reach all mobile devices within affected areas—clearly, rapidly, and in accessible formats.
Kenya is also collaborating with global partners to finalize a National Emergency Telecommunications Plan (NETP), build Disaster Connectivity Maps, and streamline regulations to speed up telecom deployment during crises. During the official launch, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, underscored the critical role of data modelling and digital communication in disaster risk management.
“Every Kenyan—regardless of where they live or what language they speak—deserves access to life-saving information before disaster strikes. This initiative will do exactly that,” said Dr. Barasa.
“We must build an Early Warning System in Kenya powered by data, supported by ICT, and accessible to all.” Dr. Barasa also announced that 5% of the national disaster risk management budget will go toward upgrading ICT infrastructure across institutions, enhancing the early warning capabilities at every level.
County governments are also being urged to include ICT-driven sub-county and ward-level early warning outreach in their budgets for 2025/26.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Festus K. Ng’eno, emphasized the integration of ICT tools to enhance climate risk monitoring, data collection networks, and forecasting systems—ensuring climate information informs policy and disaster management decisions.
Key institutions such as the Kenya Meteorological Department, Kenya Red Cross, and the National Disaster Management Unit will play central roles in deploying ICT-based solutions.
According to Dr. David Gikungu, Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department, the initiative will lead to the expansion of observation stations, especially in remote and underserved regions, by leveraging digital infrastructure to meet global standards for early warning capabilities.
International collaboration is also reinforcing Kenya’s ICT capacities. The UK Met Office, in partnership with the Kenya Meteorological Department, is helping improve weather forecasting accuracy through advanced ICT tools.
British High Commissioner Neil Wigan highlighted how technology-supported seasonal forecasts are now helping local authorities in counties like Garissa and Tana River create proactive disaster