Press and News The Alliance and Kenya Meteorological Service Authority together to strengthen Climate Action

by Rachel Kibui

onJuly 10, 2026

Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (The Alliance), the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) and the Institute for Meteorological Training and Research (IMTR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in climate science, research, capacity building and climate service delivery.

Across Africa, climate change is no longer a distant threat. Droughts are becoming more severe, floods more frequent, and weather patterns increasingly unpredictable. As governments and communities work towards adaptation, one resource is proving indispensable: reliable climate information.

From helping farmers decide when to plant to enabling governments to prepare for weather dynamics, climate services are becoming essential for protecting livelihoods, strengthening food systems and building resilience against climate shocks.

Strengthening collaboration in climate science

Cognizant of the growing importance of accessible and actionable climate information, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (The Alliance), the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) and the Institute for Meteorological Training and Research (IMTR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in climate science, research, capacity building and climate service delivery.

Signed at IMTR in Nairobi by Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, the Alliance Managing Director for Africa and Edward Muriuki, the Director, KMSA, the agreement reflects a shared commitment to transforming climate science into practical solutions that support farmers, policymakers and communities while strengthening resilience across Kenya and the wider Africa continent.

Building on complementary strengths

The partnership combines the unique expertise of the three institutions:

The Alliance contributes its leadership in agricultural research and sustainable food systems, developing science-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity to address climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and malnutrition.
KMSA, operating under the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, provides weather forecasts, climate information and early warning services that help safeguard lives, livelihoods and the environment.
IMTR, a branch of KMSA and a World Meteorological Organization Regional Training Centre for Anglophone Africa, trains meteorologists, hydrologists and other geoscience professionals from Kenya and across the region.

Alliance, KMSA Sign MOU to Strengthen Climate Action - Image 2 — Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg and Director of the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority, Edward Muriuki, sign the MOU. Onlooking is Dr. Desire Kagabo.

A partnership with a proven track record

The MoU builds on years of successful collaboration that have already delivered eight professional training curricula, strengthened Participatory Scenario Planning, produced gender-responsive climate service tools, participatory scenario planning, AI weather forecasting technology, and innovative climate communication initiatives.

The renewed agreement expands this work into new areas, including;

Climate research, Modelling and Decision Support
Capacity Strengthening & Engagement (incl. IMTR)
Curriculum & Short-Course Collaboration
Data Stewardship & Digital Infrastructure
Services Co-development & Early Warning/Early Action
Policy & Framework Support
Partnerships, Knowledge Exchange & Resource Mobilization

Making climate science matter

"This MoU is about a question for Africa's future: How do we make climate science useful, trusted and powerful in people's lives? A farmer does not wake up asking for climate information services but rather asks: Will the rains come? What should I plant? Can I trust this advice? That is the human question, one this partnership answers with institutions, trust and tools." – Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Managing Director for Africa, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT.

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events makes partnerships like this more important than ever. While scientific evidence is ideal, it is not enough if climate information does not reach those who need it.

"We may not do much about climate hazards, but we can do something about vulnerability. No matter how good the science or the department's capabilities are, they are of little use if they do not reach communities. We must leverage technology to ensure climate information reaches the last mile." – Edward Muriuki, Director, KMSA.

For Bernard Chanzu, Principal of IMTR, the MoU formalizes a relationship that has already demonstrated tangible results. Said he,

"It is a sign of strengthening and working together to improve livelihoods. If we build the capacity of IMTR through this relationship, we are strengthening the entire institution and its contribution to the region."

Investing in people and practical solutions

Implementation of the partnership will begin with a strong emphasis on capacity building. The first phase will focus on training agricultural extension officers and county climate directors.

“These frontline practitioners play a critical role in translating scientific information into practical advice that farmers can use to make better decisions in the face of changing weather patterns,” - Dr. Desire Kagabo, Project Lead for the Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation in East Africa (ECREA) initiative.

By strengthening the connection between climate research and agricultural extension services, the initiative is expected to improve food security, increase resilience and help farming communities better adapt to climate change.

Supporting Kenya's climate vision

Beyond institutional collaboration, the MoU contributes to Kenya's Vision 2030 and the National Framework for Weather, Water and Climate Services by promoting broader access to timely, accurate and actionable climate information.