Plans are underway to construct a Sh2m observatory in Kanunga, Kiambu County to enable farmers in the region get accurate information to help them plan their activities.
Speaking in her office on Friday, Meteorological department County Director Mrs Mary Githinji, said it was important to put up the facility as the only operational one in the area was based in Thika and it could not be relied on to cater for the expansive county.
The officers regretted that some people from the community were engaged in theft of vital equipment put in place to help the society.
The director said the only remaining shell was situated at Muguga, which must be relocated and constructed within Kenya Agricultural Research and Livestock organisation (KARLO) compound to curb vandalism.
“A complete observatory includes a complete weather station, a rain-gauge, a thermometer, an evaporation pan and a Stevenson screen. After installation, the station wil be monitored by at least four officers,” said Githinji.
Githinji further noted that automatic weather stations which could be manned by one officer were located in diverse locations including Uplands, Lagia in Lari, Kiambu, Gatundu South, Kabete and in Ruiru.
She noted that these units were not adequate because the county was expansive, and required more of the automatic weather stations which would boost the data collected by the observatory.