Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot on Wednesday, July 31 is set to present several amendments to the Meteorological Bill, 2023 before the Senate.
Cheruiyot who also serves as the Senate Majority Leader is proposing a Ksh5 million fine for anyone who engages in any meteorological observations, weather forecasting activities or weather modification activities without authority.
"A person who engages in any meteorological observations, weather forecasting activities or weather modification activities without a permit commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both such fine and imprisonment," read part of the amendments.
Additionally, Cheruiyot proposed that any person who intends to undertake meteorological observations, weather forecasting activities, or modification activities must apply for a permit from the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority.
This fine is an increase from what the bill previously proposed. Before the amendments, Kenyans were staring at a Ksh1 million fine for issuing the public meteorological data collected from a weather station not approved by the authority.
Cheruiyot in the amendments also proposed that the authority should regulate meteorological services in Kenya. The authority should ensure compliance with international standards and practices in meteorological services.
Furthermore, the authority should also ensure compliance with standards in stations and maintenance of meteorological services.
"The authority shall set standards, develop curricula, provide training in meteorology, operational hydrology and related sciences, examine and award diploma and certification in line with the World Meteorological Organization and other standards," Cheruiyot proposed.
Other roles include approaching and registering meteorological stations and monitoring and supervising the functions of meteorological operators.
In the amendments, the authority will also be required to provide any meteorological services and information to the general public upon request.
"A person who obtains any meteorological data, information and other meteorological services from the Authority as a private good shall not, without the consent of the Authority, provide the same to a third party or cause it to be distributed," read the recommendations in parts.
If enacted the bill will put in place a legislative framework to regulate the meteorological services in the country to coordinate and monitor meteorological services.
