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Israel has launched a mobile climate research laboratory in Kenya to strengthen climate monitoring and improve access to scientific data across Africa, where experts say a shortage of reliable ground-based measurements continues to weaken climate planning and policy decisions.
The laboratory, currently stationed at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) research station in Kapiti, Machakos County, is being operated by the Weizmann Institute of Science from Israel.
Scientists involved in the project say the initiative will help close major gaps in Africa’s climate observation systems by collecting real-time environmental data from the ground rather than relying mainly on satellite estimates.
Israel’s Ambassador to Kenya, Gideon Behar, said the project is intended to support governments and researchers with more accurate scientific information as climate pressures intensify across the continent.
“Africa still faces a major shortage in climate knowledge and data,” said Behar during a visit to the site.
“This laboratory is helping us generate the scientific evidence needed to support stronger and more informed policy decisions.”
The project’s mobility is considered one of its major advantages because the laboratory can be moved between different ecological zones to collect data from forests, drylands, grazing areas and mountain regions.
Researchers believe this will provide a broader understanding of how changing land use and climate conditions are affecting African ecosystems.
ILRI Director General Appolinaire Djikeng said the research facility would strengthen efforts to build climate resilience in agriculture and food systems through evidence-based planning.
“We need precise data to respond effectively to the climate crisis,” Djikeng said.
“This facility gives us the ability to generate evidence that can support sustainable agriculture and environmental management.”
The Kapiti research station, located about 60 kilometres from Nairobi, has historically been used for livestock and environmental research, including studies on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable grazing systems.
The climate laboratory is expected to remain operational in Africa for at least three years.
Researchers are, however, planning to move the facility to the Mount Kenya region before extending operations to other countries, including Tanzania and South Africa, as part of a wider continental climate data collection effort.
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