NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya is set to experience mostly sunny and dry weather conditions this week, with pockets of rainfall expected in select regions as temperatures rise in arid areas and drop sharply at night in high-altitude zones, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department.
In its weather outlook for February 3 to February 9, the Met Department said large parts of the country will remain dry, although rainfall is likely to occur in a few to several areas of the Central Highlands, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and Western Kenya as the week progresses.
The forecast comes amid growing public health and safety concerns linked to extreme temperatures, particularly in drought-prone regions.
“Mostly sunny and dry conditions are expected over most parts of the country,” the department said in its weekly advisory, noting that rainfall will be isolated and unevenly distributed.
Daytime temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C in several regions, particularly along the Coast, North-eastern Kenya, and North-western Kenya.
These conditions are likely to heighten heat stress, especially among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions.
The Met Department has previously warned that prolonged exposure to high temperatures increases the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, particularly in urban centres and low-lying arid zones.
At the same time, Kenyans living in high-altitude areas have been advised to prepare for unusually cold nights. Minimum temperatures below 10°C are expected in parts of the Central Highlands, the Central Rift Valley, and areas near Mt. Kilimanjaro.
The sharp contrast between hot daytime conditions and cold nights reflects seasonal weather patterns typically observed during the dry spell, though meteorologists say climate variability is increasing the intensity of temperature extremes.
Farmers in rain-fed agricultural zones have been urged to closely monitor updates, particularly in the Central Highlands and Western Kenya, where intermittent rainfall could influence planting and harvesting decisions.
The Met Department said rainfall, where it occurs, may be accompanied by cloudy conditions but is not expected to be widespread or sustained.
The forecast also has implications for water resource management, energy demand, and public health planning, especially in counties already grappling with water shortages and rising temperatures.
The department urged the public to stay informed through official platforms and to take precautionary measures, including staying hydrated during hot conditions and keeping warm during cold nights.
Meteorologists said the outlook may be updated if significant changes occur during the week.
