Nairobi, 21st May 2025 – Kenya took a bold step toward climate resilience with the national launch of the Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) initiative, a global effort to ensure life-saving alerts reach every citizen by 2027. The event, held in Nairobi, brought together government leaders, international partners, and local stakeholders to co-create a roadmap for universal early warning coverage.

The launch was graced by Dr. Deborah Barasa, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, who emphasized the urgency of the initiative:
"Climate change is not a distant threat—it is here, devastating lives and livelihoods. Early warnings empower communities to act before disaster strikes. Kenya’s commitment to EW4ALL is a commitment to saving lives, protecting investments, and securing our future."

Other key attendees included:

• Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, Principal Secretary, State Department for Environment & Climate Change

• Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, Principal Secretary, Forestry

• Mr. Joseph Mogosi Motari, Principal Secretary, Social Protection

• Mr. Stephen Isaboke, EBS, Principal Secretary, Broadcasting and Telecommunications

The initiative aligns with Kenya’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), prioritizing early warnings as a cornerstone of adaptation. Partners such as the UK, Italy, UNDRR, WMO, and Kenya Red Cross reaffirmed their support, with commitments to bridge gaps in data, technology, and community preparedness.

Dr. Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary for Internal Security, highlighted the shift from reactive to proactive disaster management:
"Early warnings are meaningless without early action. We must invest in translating alerts into tangible community-led responses."

Key Takeaways

1. Pillar-Based Approach: The initiative will strengthen Kenya’s early warning systems across four pillars—risk knowledge, monitoring, communication, and preparedness.

2. Local Empowerment: Communities, especially in arid and flood-prone regions, will co-design solutions to ensure inclusivity.

3. Global Solidarity: International funding, including the UK’s £4 million pledge for Kenya’s WISER programme, underscores the shared stakes in climate resilience.

Event Highlights

• Pre-Launch Tree Planting: A symbolic tree-growing activity at Kona Baridi, Ngong Forest, underscored the link between ecosystem restoration and disaster risk reduction.
  https://www.mod.go.ke/news/kdf-parcipitates-in-the-launch-of-the-early-warning-for-all-initiative/

• Technical Workshops: Stakeholders reviewed gaps and strategies for scaling early warning coverage. Access Presentations from the Launch & Workshop:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1l6On3-JRNkNg5izj4GIkQXxkmgqVzM9g?usp=sharing

• Photo Highlights (Launch & Technical Sessions):
  https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCf3i3

With climate shocks eroding 3–5% of Kenya’s GDP annually, the EW4ALL launch marks a critical leap toward a resilient future, where no one is left behind when disaster looms.