Closing the climate information gap? NGO intermediaries in climate information services in Samburu, Kenya

Abstract

This paper examines the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as intermediaries in closing the information gap between producers and end-users of climate information services (CIS). Empirically, the paper draws on qualitative fieldwork among pastoralists in Samburu County, Kenya. Theoretically, it draws on the instigatory theory of NGO communication. The study shows that the county government in Samburu depends on NGOs for CIS implementation, but also that the NGOs implement CIS as a “top-down” project idea without feedback loops for pastoralists. Pastoralists prefer their traditional weather forecast systems and tend to mistrust NGOs/CIS. As a result, uptake is limited, and the information gap persists. There is a need for NGOs, but realising their potential as intermediaries requires them to play a dual role. First, they must communicate pastoralists’ need for climate information upward in the system. Second, they need to translate and communicate scientific information in ways that enhance pastoralists’ adaptation.