NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of continued rainfall across multiple regions for the next five days, urging Kenyans to prepare for heavy downpours, cold nights, and fluctuating daytime temperatures.
In its latest advisory covering April 17 to April 22, the weatherman said rains will persist in parts of Central Kenya, the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria basin, southeastern lowlands, and the Coast, with some regions expected to experience intense afternoon and nighttime storms.
Counties in western Kenya and the Rift Valley — including Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, and West Pokot — are set to receive the heaviest rainfall.
The department warned that storms will largely develop in the afternoon and extend into the night, increasing the risk of flooding and poor visibility.
“Morning rains are likely to occur over a few places. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are expected over a few places occasionally spreading to several places. Night showers expected over a few places,” the agency said in part of its statement.
In Central Kenya — covering Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and Nairobi — residents should expect lighter but consistent rainfall. The forecast indicates cloudy mornings with occasional rains, followed by sunny intervals, before showers resume later in the day.
A similar weather pattern is expected in coastal counties such as Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale, as well as southeastern lowland areas including Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta.
Beyond rainfall, the department issued a temperature advisory warning of significantly cold nights in Central Kenya, where temperatures are expected to drop to around 10°C. This could have implications for vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, as well as for agriculture in highland areas.
Conversely, daytime temperatures are forecast to remain relatively high in western Kenya, the Lake Victoria basin, and coastal regions, with highs of up to 31°C expected over the same period.
The contrast between cold nights and warm days is likely to persist, creating variable weather conditions that may affect health and farming activities.
The advisory comes amid Kenya’s long rain season, which typically runs from March to May and is often associated with flooding, transport disruptions, and occasional displacement of communities in flood-prone areas.
Authorities have in previous years urged county governments to activate disaster preparedness measures during such periods, in line with national disaster management policies and constitutional obligations under the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which mandates the state to protect life and property.
As the rains intensify, Kenyans are being advised to remain vigilant, particularly in flood-prone zones, while farmers are encouraged to align planting schedules with the forecast to minimise potential losses.
The five-day outlook signals a continuation of unstable weather patterns, underscoring the need for preparedness at both household and institutional levels as the rainy season peaks.
