Parallel Session A 11.00

Regina Opondo

Senior Community Principal, Kounkuey Design Initiative, Nairobi

DARAJA provides an early warning weather and climate information system for urban areas of the Global South, specifically to those in informal settlements in East Africa. It is operated by Resurgence and project partners in Kenya and Tanzania. It helps weather forecasters and city planners transform data into informed climate preparedness. 

Informal settlements are among the most vulnerable to adverse weather conditions so this project brings together accessible tailored weather warnings with response action plans that allow communities to prepare. It has effectively mapped out the gaps in the weather forecasting service and engaged a diverse set of relevant actors to deliver a targeted and impactful service. It currently operates in informal settlements in Kenya and Tanzania but is looking to scale. 

About the presenter

Regina Opondo is a Senior Community Principal at KDI’s Nairobi office. Regina seeks to advocate for social justice and the equitable development of all people using her abilities to contribute to the achievement of a culture of human rights, good governance, and justice. She supports KDI’s commitment to the community-driven transformation of public spaces through partnership, capacity development, advocacy, and networking. Before joining KDI, Regina provided leadership in several Civil Society networks and organizations including the Elections Observation Group as chair, the Civil Society Reference Group as Co-Convenor, and the Constitution and Reforms Education Consortium as Executive Secretary in Kenya. Regina holds a Master of Arts in Gender and Women’s studies from the University of Bradford and LLB from Leeds University.