By KPC Reporter
Various stakeholders convened for the launch of the National Workshop on Early Warnings for All (EW4All) in Nairobi, marking a vital step towards protecting Kenyans from climate-induced disasters.
Top government officials who addressed the meeting included Cabinet Secretary (CS) in charge of Environment and Climate Change, Dr Deborah Barasa, and Stephen Isaboke, who serves as Principal Secretary (PS) in charge of the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (SDBT).
The workshop sought to enhance multi-hazard early warning systems.
“These national workshops are crucial steps toward building resilient societies, and they serve as a foundation for each country to craft its own strategy aligned with the global EW4All framework,” said Isaboke.
The PS said that his docket, through the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), is the national lead for pillar 3: Dissemination and Communication, under the guidance of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
“We recognize the transformative power of technology and data in delivering timely, localized, and actionable early warnings,” Isaboke said.
“Digital infrastructure, mobile connectivity, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and community media all have a central role to play.”
Isaboke added that the government was advancing cell broadcast systems, emergency numbers (999, 112), network resilience, and expanding connectivity to remote areas to ensure that no one is left behind.
EW4All is part of a global initiative launched by the United Nations (UN) to ensure that everyone in the world is protected by life-saving early warning systems by 2027.
The workshops are held at the national level to help countries assess the current state of their early warning infrastructure and identify gaps in disaster preparedness.
Governments should also develop actionable plans to improve resilience to hazards such as extreme weather, floods, and climate-related events.