In Marsabit county, two brothers have visualised a future where a farmer in the remotest parts of Kenya can rely on a mobile app on a basic feature phone to report early signs of an impending disaster — triggering swift, life-saving action.
Environmental scientist Somo Guyo and computer scientist Hassan Jattani are striving to make this a reality for communities facing recurring climate-related crises.
“Our platform provides a unified model that empowers citizens to actively participate in disaster preparedness and response, while also strengthening two-way communication between grassroots communities and disaster response institutions,” Guyo said.
In an interview, Somo shared that after nearly eight years with the Marsabit County Department of Water, Environment and Climate Change, he identified a critical gap in disaster risk management, requiring urgent attention.
He noted that existing disaster risk management frameworks and early warning systems – led by government institutions such as the Kenya Meteorological Department, the National Drought Management Authority and regional platforms like the Igad Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) – remain largely top-down and inaccessible to local communities.
He highlighted that critical gaps in community engagement, real-time reporting and feedback mechanisms continue to undermine both national policies and county-level disaster response efforts.
Recognising the urgency of developing a people-centred, accessible, localised, tailored and gender-responsive early warning system, they prioritised the needs of even illiterate farmers in disseminating vital information.
The development comes after years of exploring solutions to the recurring droughts and flash floods in Northern Kenya.
They developed a technological approach to enhance disaster risk reduction, response and recovery – a platform designed to serve all counties.
Guyo convinced his brother Hassan Jattani to leverage his computer science expertise to embark on a relevant and easy-to-use mobile app development to help bridge the gap.
The duo developed a simple, user-friendly mobile app and USSD platform – dubbed JangaVoice – designed to empower vulnerable communities to report early signs of multiple hazards to institutions for timely response and action.
The JangaVoice platform centralises data into a unified dashboard accessible to government agencies and partners, enabling timely early action.
It also facilitates the dissemination of localised alerts to communities via SMS and a mobile app.
The JangaVoice system integrates AI and sensor-based weather forecasting, continually refining its technology to enhance accuracy.
The platform will provide institutions with real-time climate data through automated, AI-driven disaster predictions.
By combining sensors and advanced algorithms, it is anticipated to deliver actionable insights to government agencies, humanitarian organisations and the private sector – enabling timely, data-driven disaster preparedness, response and long-term planning in climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and water management.
Unlike most existing early warning platforms, JangaVoice provides a simple, user-friendly, and inclusive multi-platform system that supports real-time two-way communication, AI-powered forecasting and sensor integration.
Its multifunctional design enhances disaster risk reduction efforts by enabling timely action, saving lives, protecting property and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Jattani utilised his proficiency in multiple programming languages to develop JangaVoice, integrating artificial intelligence for weather prediction and incorporating sensor technology for real-time data collection.
He opted for USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) – a widely used communication protocol in GSM networks, due to its accessibility and compatibility with basic mobile phones.
The app has been designed to deliver alerts across all platforms – feature phones, smartphones and computers – serving both rural and urban users.
Its goal is to empower even the most marginalised communities, enabling them to receive, share and act on critical disaster-related information to help minimise impacts.
It allows users to receive alerts and send information, empowering them to prepare, protect and recover from disasters.
Jattani expressed optimism that the app would personalise disaster resources, encourage ownership and empower ordinary citizens to take charge in the face of any disaster.
The app also helps users stay informed about potential disasters and provides timely guidance. “Additionally, it allows smartphone users to upload photos and other multimedia content to report disaster damage,” Jattani explained.
