KDF agency plans scientific data to combat climate change, enhance food security

The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing (DRSRS) that will see the two entities partner in an array of thematic areas.
Key among the areas of collaboration include natural resource management, disaster response and mitigation, environmental monitoring, agriculture and food security, climate change, mining and geology as well as monitoring the blue economy.
The MoU was jointly signed by KSA Acting Director -General Brig Hillary Kipkosgey and DRSRS Director Dr. Moses Akali at the KSA Headquarters in Nairobi.
KSA Acting DG hailed the partnership saying the two agencies are like conjoined twins since they have various areas of convergence and that both support the government in providing critical data for socioeconomic growth.
He noted that the joint efforts of the KSA and DRSRS shall bolster the government’s efforts to combat climate change and provide a geo-portal accessible to all stakeholders to provide crucial data.
“Our coming together is an absolute necessity. The nature of our work demands that we work together in a complimentary manner. As an Agency, we are happy with this development and we look forward to working closely with DRSRS to support the public sector,” said Brig Kipkosgey.
Akali said they are coming together to enhance their partnership in the use of space science, technology and remote sensing. He added that, by virtue of their distinct mandates, and the expertise within the two Agencies, there were quite a number of common grounds which should be exploited for mutual benefits.
“We are grateful to be signing this document so that we can cease to work in silos. As Government organizations, we have a mandate to ensure that the government delivers on its promises and enhance service delivery,” said Dr. Akali.
He said the agencies shall pool resources together and enhance capacity building to deliver on their mandate in environmental security and by extension, national security.
“As we make our commitment through signing of this MoU, we will endeavour to support each other and ensure meaningful collaboration in terms of data collection, analysis, interpretation, generation and dissemination of this data, as well as capacity building,” Dr Akali reiterated.
KSA is a State Corporation domiciled in the Ministry of Defence charged with the mandate of promoting, coordinating and regulating space-related activities.
DRSRS on the other hand is a State Corporation mandated to collect, store, analyze, update and disseminate geospatial data and information on natural resources to facilitate informed decision-making for sustainable development.