Rainfall is expected to continue over some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and the Coast, the weatherman has stated.
The Kenya Meteorological Department (MET) however said the rest of the country is likely to be generally sunny and dry.
MET said this in its forecast for the period between October 8, to October 14, 2022.
The department said in the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the Rift Valley there is likely to be morning rains over a few places.
In the afternoon and night, there will be showers and thunderstorms over a few places occasionally spreading to several places.
The affected counties include Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Busia, Migori, Narok, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and West-Pokot Counties.
In North-western Kenya (Turkana and Samburu Counties), the days will be characterized by sunny intervals while the nights are likely to be partly cloudy.
The weatherman said in the Highlands East of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi County) (Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi and Nairobi Counties), there is likely to be intermittent cloudiness and light rains in the mornings giving way to sunny intervals.
Occasional afternoon and night showers are likely to occur over a few places.
In North-eastern Kenya (Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo Counties), sunny intervals are expected during the day while nights are likely to be partly cloudy.
“However, there is a possibility of morning rains and afternoon showers occurring over a few places during the second half of the forecast period,” Met said.
In the South-eastern lowlands (Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, and Taita-Taveta Counties as well as the inland parts of Tana-River County), sunny intervals are expected during the day while nights are likely to be partly cloudy.
However, there is a possibility of morning rains and afternoon showers occurring over a few places.
In the Coast region (Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale Counties as well as the coastal parts of Tana River County), morning, afternoon, and night showers are expected to occur over a few places occasionally spreading to several places.
According to the State of the Climate Kenya 2023 report by Met, in recent years, Kenya has seen a pattern of increased variability in precipitation, with periods of intense rainfall leading to floods and extended dry spells resulting in droughts.
The weatherman noted that in 2023, the coastal region, western and central highlands, and a few parts of the northern region experienced above-normal rainfall as the rest of the country experienced dry conditions.
“Notably, localized, and widespread flash flooding was experienced in the eastern sector of the country, particularly in the Northeastern counties, the coastal strip, and parts of southeast lowlands,” the department added.
Floods affected 38 counties across the country, resulting in loss of lives, injuries, displacements, and destruction of key infrastructure.
An increase in contaminated water also led to secondary effects, including vector and waterborne disease outbreaks.
The department noted that a total of 757,173 people (138,560 households) were affected since the onset of the short rains season between October and December 2023.
Of these, 64,373 households were displaced in Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Mombasa, Tana River, Marsabit, Meru, Isiolo, Samburu, Homa Bay, Turkana, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Tharaka Nithi and Makueni, Migori, Kisumu, Busia, West Pokot, Bungoma, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, Narok, Baringo, Kericho, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyeri, Lamu, Kajiado, Nairobi and Kitui Counties.
Additionally, the destruction of over 25,269 acres of farmland, 1,302 businesses, and 17,392 livestock deaths were reported.
