About us
Welcome to the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), the national authority responsible for providing accurate and timely weather and climate services. Our mandate covers a wide range of sectors—including agriculture, water resources, forestry, civil aviation, disaster risk reduction, and the private sector—supporting national development and public safety. We are dedicated to delivering reliable early warning information to help safeguard lives, protect property, and promote environmental sustainability. KMD operates under the framework of Executive Orders of the Government of Kenya and is recognized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as the sole authoritative source for severe weather and extreme climate information in Kenya.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
“To provide and facilitate weather and climate information services for sustainable development.”
Our Vision
“A world class weather and climate service.”
Kenya Meteorological Department - History
The present Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) was established as a small colonial service for East Africa way back in 1929, then known as the British East African Meteorological Service (BEAMS) responsible for the provision of meteorological and climatological services to various sectors of the economy.
In 1948, the British East African Meteorological Service became a department within the British East African High Commission and was renamed the East African Meteorological Department (EAMD).
In 1964, EAMD was placed under the then newly established East African Community (EAC). Following the break-up of the Community in 1977, all the common services collapsed and their functions were transferred to the jurisdiction of the respective Partner States of the former Community. In Kenya, the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) was established as a department under the Ministry of Power and Communications.
1977- Present
In the years 1977 to date, KMD’s channel of communication with the Government has changed hands from the Ministries of Power and Communications to Transport and Communications; Information, Transport and Communications; Transport; Environment and Mineral Resources; Environment and Natural Resources; and currently is under the State Department of Environment and Climate Change in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry. This was after the Government rationalized the portfolios, responsibilities and functions of all ministries and other government agencies vide Executive Order No.1 of June 2025. This is in line with the Government’s key policies as envisioned in the Constitution of Kenya (2010), Vision 2030 and the Medium-Term Plans (MTPs) that emphasize the need for efficiency and better management in the utilization of resources to enable the Government achieve its strategic objectives of growth, productivity, efficiency and improvement in service delivery.
Our Strategic Goals
The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) aims to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction through integrated planning and the adoption of emerging technologies. It works to reduce the impacts of extreme weather and climate events by strengthening early warning systems, while also investing in human capacity and modern infrastructure. KMD advances forecasting capabilities through research and innovation, and actively fosters partnerships to enhance the reach, relevance, and effectiveness of its services.
Our Core Functions
The Kenya Meteorological Department’s core functions include observing, analyzing, and forecasting weather and climate; sharing data nationally and internationally; and issuing early warnings for severe events. It also manages Kenya’s meteorological records and builds national capacity through training at the WMO Regional Training Centre in Nairobi.
