Traditional rainmakers concur with government on nullity of El Nino rains

Nakuru,

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

KNA by Veronica Bosibori

Traditional rain makers in Nakuru County have concurred with the government’s stand that the likelihood of El-Nino was a nullity because from their predictions using the stars, cold weather, and the direction of wind, especially in the evenings chances of heavy rain were remote.

However, their spokesperson John Koskei commended the Meteorological department for their prediction of the probability and chance of an El Nino. That has enabled the national and county governments to plan and improve on infrastructure in the country.

Koskei called on other government agencies to duplicate the good example set by the Meteorological department to improve on prior planning for everything to avoid the last-minute rush that has contributed to wastage of taxes.

He explained that the major star known as ‘baboita’ which is used by pastoralists all over Africa has not so far indicated the probability of heavy rainfall. He added that the star was easily noticeable at night and it was always surrounded by two smaller stars that are considered to be his wives.

Besides, Koskei said it has generally been cold and windy and added those two combinations hardly ever contribute to the prospect of more than normal rainfall. Adding, that there are trees that flower when there’s a possibility of higher rainfall, but so far they haven’t.

The Nakuru County Director of Meteorological Services Julius Kilemba said balancing the preservation of cultural traditions with the need for accurate and reliable weather forecasting is important but further clarified that it is essential to maintain the scientific rigor and credibility of institutions.

He said the department has always worked closely with traditional rainmakers but noted that if the department were to incorporate and rely solely on their predictions, there could be potential risks and liabilities if the forecasts turned out to be inaccurate.

Kilemba observed that such inaccurate predictions can have real-world consequences, particularly for farmers and communities relying on weather forecasts for agricultural planning.

“While it’s important to respect and preserve cultural traditions, it’s also vital to strike a balance between cultural preservation and scientific advancement,” Kilemba said.  

On the ground and in social media there has been a lot of mocking of the anticipated El Nino, but the traditional rainmakers are full of praise for the improved weather forecast in the country.

Courtesy; KNA