Parliament’s Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining has reviewed the FY 2026/27 budget estimates for the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, as the government advances reforms aimed at strengthening meteorological services and climate response systems amid ongoing heavy rains across the country.

Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno appeared before the committee chaired by Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka on May 19, 2026.

He told lawmakers that modernisation of meteorological systems remains central to improving weather forecasting accuracy, strengthening early warning systems, and enhancing climate information services.

“Modernisation of meteorological services remains fundamental in enhancing weather forecasting accuracy, strengthening early warning systems, and improving climate information services across the country in support of climate resilience and disaster preparedness,” Ng’eno said.

Staffing gaps at KMSA and NEMA highlighted

Ng’eno informed the committee that both the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority (KMSA) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) are facing capacity challenges that require urgent recruitment of technical personnel.

He noted that KMSA’s staffing gaps are largely driven by an ageing workforce and the ongoing institutional transition from the Kenya Meteorological Department into a State Agency and Government Authority (SAGA).

He said strengthening human resource capacity is key to improving service delivery, regulatory oversight, and enforcement operations.

The PS added that the State Department will continue working with the Ministry of Transport to support operational sustainability within KMSA, while advancing climate governance reforms under national frameworks.

Climate action plan, carbon markets and funding

Ng’eno also briefed MPs on the implementation of the National Climate Change Action Plan III, which focuses on climate resilience, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the promotion of green jobs and sustainable livelihoods.

On carbon markets, he said the Designated National Authority under NEMA is overseeing the transition from voluntary carbon market arrangements into structured and transparent systems aligned with national and international standards. The move is aimed at strengthening compliance and improving oversight of climate finance projects.

He further said the State Department is working with the National Treasury and Economic Planning to settle pending bills under the First Charge principle, ensuring continuity of critical environmental and climate programmes despite funding constraints.

Weather updates and early warning system

The budget review comes as Kenya Met continues issuing advisories on ongoing rainfall patterns across regions including the Lake Victoria Basin, Central Highlands, Coast, and parts of the Rift Valley. Forecasts indicate sustained but gradually reducing rainfall intensity in the coming days.

Recent updates from the meteorological department indicate improved forecasting accuracy and faster dissemination of early warnings to counties and institutions. Authorities have also flagged health risks such as increased malaria prevalence in some regions due to warmer conditions.

Lawmakers are expected to finalise recommendations on the budget estimates, which will determine funding priorities for meteorological modernisation, climate adaptation, and environmental protection in the 2026/27 financial year.