The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued an alert warning Kenyans to prepare for heavy rainfall in different parts of the country from Friday, March 21, to Tuesday, March 25.
In its weekend weather advisory released on March 21, the department highlighted that areas in the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the South-Eastern Lowlands, and North-Eastern Kenya would experience significant downpours.
Counties expected to be affected in the Highlands East of the Rift Valley include Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka, and Nairobi. According to the forecast, rainfall in these areas will mainly occur in the afternoons and may be accompanied by thunderstorms.
A similar weather pattern is anticipated in counties within the Lake Victoria Basin and Rift Valley, including Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, and Elgeyo Marakwet. Other counties set to receive heavy rainfall include Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, and West Pokot.
Although most parts of the country are expected to experience significant rainfall, moderate showers are forecasted in Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, Taita Taveta, and inland sections of Tana River County. Light showers are also expected in coastal counties such as Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale, as well as in eastern counties including Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo.
Additionally, the meteorological department has advised residents of Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka, and Nairobi to prepare for chilly nights. Temperatures in these regions are expected to drop to 8°C for the first two days before rising slightly to 9°C for the remainder of the forecast period.
Meanwhile, residents of Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Nandi should brace for high daytime temperatures. Extreme heat is also anticipated in Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo.
