Kenyans publishing or issuing weather data to the public without approval face a jail term of 12 months and a fine of Ksh500,000 if new Metrological Bill is passed into law.
According to Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot, the Metrological bill 2023 is part of a legislative framework set to regulate metrological data displayed as well as the metrological department.
“A person who gives or distribute metrological information obtained from the Authority without consent of the Authority and contrary to the provision of the act, will be liable to a one million fine or jail term not exceeding 12 months or both,” read part of the Bill.
Likewise, any weather information derived from a weather station not registered by the Authority commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh1 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
“A person who issues to the public metrological data collected or weather information derived from weather station not registered is liable to fine not exceeding one Million Kenya Shillings or to imprisonment to a term not exceeding 12 months or both,” read part of the Bill.
Also Read: El Nino Confusion: Weatherman Clarifies as Heavy Rains Intensify
The bill proposal came in the wake of El Nino rains affecting several regions across the country.
El Nino hits Kenyans
Similarly, the Kenya Meteorological Department apologized to Kenyans for miscommunication over El Nino rains.
Worth noting, the department had predicted that El Nino would hit the country from mid-October to December 2023.
However, President William Ruto said the country will not experience El Nino rains as earlier predicted.
In a press conference on November 10, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asked Kenya Met Director David Gikungu to end the confusion.
Likwise, Gikungu confirmed that the country was experiencing El Nino.
“I want to point out that as initially given in the forecast, we have El Nino in these short rains season 2023 and we do apologize for the miscommunication because that was a big mistake, but we are sorry about that,” he said.
Also Read: El Nino to Last for Six Months World Met
Additionally, the weatherman urged Kenyans to prepare for enhanced rainfall.
“Moving forward let us prepare ourselves for the enhanced rainfall as a result of the El Nino phenomena that we are in,” said Gikungu.
