UASIN GISHU FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM NEW WEATHER MONITORING PLAN USING SAFARICOM NETWORK

Farmers in Uasin Gishu County could benefit from improved weather forecasts and early warning systems under a new government plan to use Safaricom’s telecommunications infrastructure to strengthen weather monitoring across Kenya.

The proposed initiative seeks to deploy Internet of Things (IoT) technology across Safaricom’s extensive network of telecommunications masts to collect environmental data in real time, improving the accuracy and timeliness of weather information available to farmers, businesses and local authorities.

Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno announced the plan following discussions with officials from the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA), Safaricom and Agrimet Data on October 28, 2026. The discussions focused on modernising the country’s weather observation network and strengthening early warning systems. 

For Uasin Gishu, where agriculture is a major economic activity, better access to reliable weather information could help farmers make more informed decisions on planting, fertiliser application, harvesting and the management of crops.

The county is one of Kenya’s leading agricultural areas, with many households depending on crop farming and livestock production for their livelihoods. Maize and wheat farming are particularly important to the local economy, making weather patterns a key factor in determining agricultural productivity and household incomes.

Unpredictable rainfall can disrupt planting schedules, damage crops and complicate harvesting, especially when heavy downpours affect farms and rural roads. Improved forecasting could help farmers prepare for changing weather conditions and reduce avoidable losses.