By Janet Nyamwamu
West Mugirango legislator Stephen Mogaka now wants universal access to climate information to be expressly recognized and treated as a fundamental human right.
Speaking on the sidelines of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) 2025 conference in Manila, Mogaka emphasized that timely, transparent, and inclusive climate data is essential for empowering communities, especially those most vulnerable to climate change.
“Without access to climate information, communities are left in the dark—unable to prepare, adapt, or hold decision-makers accountable,” Mogaka stated.
“This is not just a technical issue. It’s a matter of justice.”
Mogaka’s remarks come amid growing concern that climate data—often locked behind paywalls or buried in inaccessible formats—is failing to reach the people who need it most.
He urged governments, research institutions, and international agencies to democratize climate knowledge by investing in open data platforms, community-based forecasting systems, and multilingual dissemination tools.
“In Kenya, meteorologists must up their game to warn on hailstorms, thunderstorms, thunder and lightning so that farmers may hasten harvesting of their crops, specifically vegetables, to mitigate loss,” he said.
Mogaka drew from the experiences of his West Mugirango constituency in the Lake Victoria Basin, which has suffered heavy losses from cruel weather.
In past years, lightning strikes killed three youths in Sirate, a mother in Nyabisimba, and another young person in Bobembe, while St Peter’s Nyakemincha School lost its roof to a storm.
To reduce such risks, he noted that local interventions are already in place: “We have installed thunderstorms arrestors in each ward that have helped obviate deaths attributed to thunder and lightning.”
Mogaka further urged Kenya’s FM radio stations to create deliberate platforms for weather information.
“This will enhance listener awareness, reduce misinformation and disinformation on weather, and empower farmers to plan better,” he said.
“Knowledge is power, and such weather knowledge will enhance proactive management of our farms, encourage adequate crop insurance, and reduce the risk of food insecurity.”
The Manila conference, themed “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age”, is focusing on how environmental data and big data management can be integrated into law to boost disaster preparedness and climate action.
Delegates are expected to conclude with the 2025 IDUAI Statement, reaffirming commitments to Agenda 2030 and stronger regional cooperation on access to environmental information.
Delegates noted that access to climate information is critical for early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development planning.
