The capacity-building initiative was designed for WMO region I and implemented in 2018 and 2019 to strengthen or develop the technical and scientific expertise required to maintain high quality measurements, data processing and analysis and relevant knowledge on the preparation and submission of observation data to relevant world data centres. The activity was supported by the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss), the Swiss Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research, and the Observatory, Hradec Králové, Czechia, through the General Trust Fund for Financing Activities on Research and Systematic Observations Relevant to the Vienna Convention. It was implemented in two phases, involving staff of the Kenya Meteorological Department. The first part of the training course was focused on data management and instrument calibration and took place in Czechia (Hradec Králové) and in Switzerland (Payerne, Dubendorf and Zurich) from 17 June to 6 July 2018. Four Kenya Meteorological Department staff participated in full‑day training sessions, which included lectures, practical exercises and hands-on work. The staff gained theoretical and practical knowledge on the Dobson and Brewer spectrophotometer measurement techniques, service, maintenance and calibration of the instruments as well as on data archiving and analysis. The group also received intensive training and knowledge on ozonesondes including standard operating procedures for pre-flight preparation, launching, data acquisition, processing, analysis, transmission of data to twinning partners at MeteoSwiss, Payerne, and data archiving. The Observing System Capability Analysis and Review Tool of WMO was introduced, along with practical work on the metadata and specific information related to observations in Kenya. A separate session was dedicated to learning the R statistical program to help systematically analyse both vertical profiles and surface data. Part of the phase 1 training covered building competence in calibration of the TEI49i O3 analyser and Picarro instrument for carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and water (H2O) measurements. The knowledge and skills gained during the training course were shared with colleagues and students at the WMO Regional Training Centre, Institute of Meteorological Training and Research, Nairobi, and have led to improved work performance at the Kenya Meteorological Department.
Subsequently, the competencies of eight operators and engineers from Nairobi and Mount Kenya Global Atmosphere Watch stations in Kenya were further advanced through a workshop on data management held from 17 to 29 March 2019. The objective of the second phase of the training was to enhance already acquired knowledge and skills in the operation of ozone-measuring instruments and data handling by reviewing best practices in conducting measurements, instrument calibrations, data management and documentation, as well as data submission to the World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre. Specific sessions addressed working with the Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review tool and WMO Integrated Global Observing System metadata related to the observations made from Kenyan Global Atmosphere Watch stations; operating, maintenance, and troubleshooting of ozonesondes and Brewer spectrophotometers; retrieving vertical profiles from ozonesonde flights and analysing data. At the end of the workshop, means to maintain and transfer the skills beyond the initially trained staff whenever appropriate were proposed. Knowledge gained during the training in 2019 improved the performance of the staff for the benefit of the quality of the observations made by the Kenya Meteorological Department and has assisted in sustaining the quality of the regional and global monitoring activities.