Use Simple English- Ezekiel Mutua Criticises Kenya Met Boss Over El Nino

Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ezekiel Mutua on Sunday, November 19 accused Kenya Meteorological Department Director David Gikungu of using terms difficult to understand to the ordinary Kenyan regarding the El Nino rains.

Mutua was responding to Gikungu's interview with Citizen TV where he was tasked with explaining the phenomenon which has left Coastal counties receiving record rainfall that led to widespread damage.

At least 130 people have lost their lives in Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania since the rainfall began and intensified to beyond-average levels.

Mutua accused Gikungu of using ambiguous terms to explain the current weather situation as well as using communication gestures that bore hints of a classroom lecture.

Kenya Meteorological Department Director David Gakungu addressing the press. /STANDARD DIGITAL

"I think someone coming on TV to explain stuff affecting common mwananchi like El Nino should use simple terms and connect with the gravity of the situation," the MCSK boss advised.

"The body language, tone and vocabulary should not be that of a professor lecturing a PhD class. It should be a common mwananchi language!"

During the interview, Gikungu disclosed that he had yet to identify the individual who misled President William Ruto regarding El Nino rains, insisting that he maintained that the country would experience the phenomenon against Ruto's assurance that it wouldn't.

"I hope one day I will find out the truth. The official communication we have been giving has not suggested an increase or decline or anything that would withdraw the El Nino phenomenon. 

"People have associated El Nino with rainfall almost to the extent of calling rainfall El Nino which is not the case," he clarified, further extending his apology to the Head of State and insisting that the El Nino effects would be felt up to April 2024.

Gikungu highlighted that there are some regions yet to experience heavy rains, but will be subjected to heavy downpours in due course.

"As the head of the department, I needed to state that the forecast has not changed. I needed to state that I am sorry about that miscommunication. The indication is that we are all in an El Nino season that lasts up to April 2024," he added.

The miscommunication emerged from Ruto's speech on October 22 where he sensationally stated that the country would not experience the severe effects of the El Nino rains.

"We heard reports that the country will experience El Nino rains, which have the potential to destroy property. But God has been faithful," the President explained.