Kenya: A significant step forward in the climate change agenda

Kenya has launched its first operational satellite into space. The African country’s Taifa-1 or simply Taifa-1 was launched from the Vandenberg Space Force base in the USA.

Following the launch, the country is one of 15 African countries with an operational satellite in space according to SpaceHubs Africa.

It is interesting to note that the space adventure in Africa started with South Africa launching the SUNSAT-1 satellite in 1998. Today, the continent has more than 50 satellites in orbit.

This historic event watched by millions of people around the world is a source of pride for Wangari Muta Maathai’s country as the satellite was developed and designed by Kenyan engineers.

 Beyond this pride, the results sought by such an operation are what make it so admirable.

Indeed, it must be said that Kenya, a country located in West Africa, is not spared from the effects of climate change.

At COP27, Kenyan pastoralist Job Metuy described the pain and devastation of the current drought on pastoralism.

According to the Kenya Space Agency, the Kenyan Taifa-1 satellite will fly over the country every four days and collect agricultural and environmental data, including on floods, drought, and wildfires, that authorities plan to use for disaster management and to combat food insecurity.

The data from Taifa-1 is expected in the coming months and there is no doubt that the data collected and used will enable the Kenyan government to provide more effective solutions in the adaptation of climate change.

#climatechange #satelite #kenya #agriculture #adaptation

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