J.O. Akech¹

¹National Council for Science and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract:

Kenya hosts two IMS primary stations,IS32 and PS24. During the early years of these stations,the cost of operation and maintenance was significantly high. In recent years however, these costs as well as risks have greatly reduced due to the involvement of the local community and government agencies as stake holders. As a result of these initiatives, an enabling business environment has been created in the neighbourhoods of these stations and this has indirectly led to enhanced performance of the stations and the meeting of the minimum requirement of 98% data availability. Training sessions conducted at each of these stations have drastically reduced the cost of operation and maintenance considering that for instance infrasound technology was relatively new in the country and local contribution to maintenance at the time was minimal. Government involvement through improvement of the road network has turned surrounding areas into tourist attractions thus eliminating various road maintenance costs that were previously incurred by the CTBTO and also improving the livelihood of the communities living nearby. Several businesses and people have benefited directly because of the existence of these stations. Station operators have also contributed to this success by maintaining a high level of professionalism not only in performing daily operation and maintenance activities at the stations but also in the interaction with local communities.