In a significant step toward strengthening disaster preparedness and response in Kenya, the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) hosted a high-level delegation from Step Innovations Africa on 21st May 2026 for discussions centered on technology-driven disaster risk reduction and management.

The delegation from Step Innovations Africa, led by Director Mr. Sanjay Pash, was warmly received by NDOC Director Col. (Rtd) David Samoei alongside a team of senior officials from the Centre. The meeting marked the beginning of what both institutions described as a promising collaboration aimed at harnessing emerging technologies to improve disaster resilience in Kenya.

During the engagement, Step Innovations Africa introduced its areas of expertise and highlighted several successful collaborations with Kenyan institutions, including NITA and KNEC, demonstrating the organization’s growing footprint in digital transformation and innovation across the country.

Introducing DASH AI: Revolutionizing Disaster Management

A key highlight of the meeting was the presentation of DASH AI, an advanced disaster management platform developed by Step Innovations Africa. The system is a unified, data-driven solution powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

Designed to detect, predict, and mitigate disaster risks, DASH AI focuses particularly on forest-related threats such as wildfires and ecosystem degradation. The platform combines predictive analytics with real-time monitoring capabilities, enabling authorities to identify high-risk zones, monitor incidents as they unfold, and support rapid on-ground response and mitigation efforts.

The Step Innovations Africa team showcased the DASH AI dashboard, which features real-time data analysis and an AI-powered assistant capable of enhancing decision-making processes. Functioning as a Decision Support System (DSS), the platform provides actionable, data-driven insights critical for disaster planning, emergency response, and long-term mitigation strategies.

Learning from Global Best Practices

The discussions also explored how technology is transforming disaster management globally, with particular reference to India’s advancements in leveraging AI and digital tools. The Step Innovations Africa team shared valuable insights into how India utilizes AI-driven systems in managing floods, forest fires, traffic systems, and other disaster-related challenges.

The comparative discussions between India and Kenya opened opportunities for knowledge exchange and highlighted the immense potential for Kenya to adopt innovative technologies in strengthening its national disaster management framework.

The Way Forward

At the conclusion of the meeting, both NDOC and Step Innovations Africa agreed on several strategic next steps aimed at deepening collaboration and accelerating innovation in disaster management.

Among the key resolutions was an agreement to facilitate the sharing of disaster-related data for the possible development and piloting of an integrated disaster management system. Additionally, plans are underway to organize a benchmarking visit for an NDOC delegation to India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to gain firsthand experience and insights into the country’s advanced disaster management systems.

The two teams also committed to jointly developing predictive models tailored to different disaster scenarios, signaling a new era of technology-enabled disaster preparedness and response in Kenya.

As climate change and environmental threats continue to intensify globally, the partnership between NDOC and Step Innovations Africa represents a timely and forward-looking initiative that could significantly strengthen Kenya’s capacity to anticipate, manage, and respond to disasters through innovation and intelligent systems.