NAIROBI, Kenya – Motorists and other road users have been urged to exercise extreme caution as heavy rainfall and fog continue to disrupt visibility and road conditions across large parts of the country.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), in a safety alert issued on Sunday, warned that the prevailing weather has significantly increased the risk of road accidents, particularly on major highways and low-lying roads.
“Ongoing heavy rainfall and foggy conditions are affecting some parts of the country, significantly heightening road risks due to reduced visibility and slippery surfaces,” the authority said.
NTSA advised drivers to slow down, maintain safe following distances, avoid overtaking in poor visibility and remain alert for flooded road sections. Motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists were also urged to take extra precautions.
The alert follows a weather advisory from the Kenya Meteorological Department forecasting moderate to heavy rainfall exceeding 20–30 millimetres in several regions.
The rains are expected to intensify in some areas through December 29 before easing on December 30.
Regions expected to be affected include the Southeastern lowlands, the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin and parts of the Coast.
Counties listed as high-risk include Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Nairobi, Kericho, Bomet, southern Kitui, Taita Taveta and Kwale.
“Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to be on the lookout for potential floods,” the Met Department said.
Strong southeasterly winds of up to 25 knots are also expected in Marsabit County over the next five days, while occasional rainfall is forecast across much of the southern half of the country, with intensity likely to increase as the week progresses.
Central Kenya counties — including Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi — are expected to experience cloudy mornings with light rain and sunny intervals, followed by afternoon and night showers. Temperatures in these areas will range from lows of about 5°C to highs of 29°C.
Similar conditions are forecast for Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, Taita Taveta and inland parts of Tana River County, with temperatures ranging between 13°C and 32°C.
Along the Coast, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale counties, as well as coastal Tana River, are likely to experience showers for most of the week, except Friday and Saturday mornings and afternoons. Daytime temperatures could reach 34°C, with nighttime lows of around 23°C.
Counties in the Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western regions are expected to receive rain during both daytime and nighttime, with temperatures ranging from 7°C to 32°C.
These include Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia.
In contrast, northern counties — including Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo — are expected to experience sunny intervals, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 37°C. Turkana and Samburu will also remain mostly sunny, with partly cloudy nights.
The Meteorological Department said it will continue issuing updates should weather conditions change.
