By Milliam Murigi
Kenya is set to deploy more flood monitoring systems in the Tana River basin to strengthen early warnings and give vulnerable communities more time to prepare for potential flooding.
The new monitoring systems will provide real-time information on rainfall and river levels and help authorities detect potential flooding earlier.
The initiative, which will be implemented by KenGen, the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) and Trans-African Hydro-Meteorological Observatory (TAHMO) under the
Transformative Environmental Monitoring to Boost Observations in Africa (TEMBO Africa) project, targets key locations around the Seven Forks hydropower cascade.
“The technologies are expected to strengthen Kenya’s ability to monitor changing weather and river conditions and provide information that can support flood forecasting and early action,” said Paul Murage, Assistant Director, Education and Training, Institute for Meteorological Training & Research- WMO RTC, Nairobi & TAHMO Focal Point during a site survey across the Seven Forks Cascade.
TEMBO Africa is an EU-funded project aimed at strengthening environmental monitoring in Africa through cost-effective sensor networks and improved climate services. The project focuses on developing flood early-warning systems, reservoir management and other services using data on rainfall, soil moisture and river flows.
Already six sites which include Makima Bridge on the Thiba River, Sofia Bridge on the Thika River, Masinga Dam, Masinga Boys High School, Seven Forks Primary School and Kamburu Hydroelectric Power Station have been assessed.
The assessment looked at factors including hydrology, structural conditions, security, accessibility, GPS mapping and aerial surveys. Its aim was to identify optimal locations for new TAHMO Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), river gauges, and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) installations.
The new equipment goal is to strengthen real-time hydro meteorological monitoring for flood forecasting, reservoir inflow prediction, dam safety and hydropower operations along the Tana River basin, with particular focus on flashpoint tributaries like the Thika and Thiba rivers.
“Integrating future AWS and river gauge data directly into KenGen’s centralized control system at Kamburu will give operators real-time visibility across the entire Seven Forks cascade, which will be a critical step toward faster, more informed decision-making during flood events,” said Murage.
Despite this progress, the assessment according to Murage exposed a major weakness that could undermine Kenya’s investment in early-warning infrastructure, vandalism and theft.
Several existing monitoring stations were found to be non-functional, with solar panels, batteries, cables and other components among equipment targeted by vandals and thieves.
The project found that stations located within institutions with stronger community involvement tended to suffer less damage, pointing to the importance of involving local communities in protecting monitoring infrastructure.
The new system is also expected to benefit Kenya’s energy sector. The Tana River basin hosts the Seven Forks cascade, which is central to the country’s hydropower generation. Real-time information on rainfall and river flows can help operators anticipate how much water will enter reservoirs and make better decisions on dam and power-station operations.
Data from weather stations and river gauges will be integrated into KenGen’s central control system at Kamburu, giving operators a real-time picture of conditions across the cascade.
“The collaboration between KenGen, KMSA and TAHMO in advancing safer communities and strengthening the reliability of Kenya’s power generation is truly commendable. By combining expertise in meteorology, climate monitoring, and energy infrastructure, this partnership is helping build a more resilient and sustainable future for the country,” he added.
Flooding is a recurring hazard in the Tana River Basin, particularly during the March-May long rains and October-December short rains. Heavy rainfall in the upper catchment usually send large volumes of water downstream, while tributaries and seasonal streams add to river flows, increasing the risk of flooding in the middle and lower basin.
The basin is also vulnerable because many communities, farms and infrastructure are located along the river and its floodplains. A 2024 study found that flood peaks in the basin commonly occur around May and December, with El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole among the climate factors associated with increased flood probability.
