NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s October–December rainy season is under way, with the Kenya Meteorological Service expecting rain to spread to more parts of the country from next week.
Acting service head Edward Muriuki said rainfall had started in parts of 24 counties, including areas in the Coast, western Kenya and the Rift Valley.
Other counties are expected to receive rain next week or the following week, while Turkana and Samburu are forecast to experience the onset latest, in the third or fourth week of October.
Nairobi, Central and Ukambani await rain
Nairobi and much of Central Kenya and Ukambani are among the areas forecast to receive rain next week or the week after.
The forecast includes Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Kitui and Makueni. Kajiado, Taita Taveta and inland parts of Tana River are also expected to see the rains spread.
Rain has already started in counties including Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Busia, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori and Narok.
The Coast counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Lamu and Kilifi, as well as the Tana Delta, are also experiencing the onset.
Met warns of flooding and landslides
The service expects above-average rainfall in several areas, with particularly heavy rain possible in parts of the Coast and north-eastern Kenya, including Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Mandera, as well as parts of Taita Taveta, Tana River, Garissa and Wajir.
It warned that heavy rainfall could cause flooding, waterlogging and landslides, especially in low-lying areas and near rivers.
Farmers have been advised to follow county-specific forecasts because the timing and intensity of rain will vary across the country.
The service says above-average rainfall could improve soil moisture, pasture and water availability, but excessive rain may damage crops, disrupt farm work and make it harder to transport produce.
El Niño is one factor shaping the season
The forecast says the October–December rainfall season is influenced by El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Muriuki cautioned that El Niño alone does not determine how much rain Kenya will receive.
Rain is expected to continue into January in many central, western and eastern counties.
Turkana and Samburu, however, are forecast to receive poor to fair rainfall despite the wider outlook for wetter-than-normal conditions.
