Heavy downpours to continue as Kenya enters rainy season

The Kenya Meteorological Department has urged Kenyans to brace for continued rainfall across different regions, as the country enters the wet season.

According to the department, some areas will experience isolated heavy rains, signaling the beginning of the rainy period in certain parts.

"Rainfall is expected to continue over several parts of the country. Isolated heavy rainfall events are likely in some areas," the department stated on Monday.

Regions expected to receive rainfall include Western Kenya, the Rift Valley, and the Central Highlands, including Nairobi.

Other areas likely to be affected are the Lake Victoria Basin, parts of the South-Eastern Lowlands, sections of the Coast, and North-Eastern and North-Western Kenya.

The department attributed the expected rains to the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), a weather pattern that moves from west to east along the equator, bringing periods of rainfall and storms.

“The MJO is expected to be in phase two from the second week of March, which may lead to an earlier-than-anticipated onset over some parts of the country,” said Director of Meteorological Services David Gikungu.

Many parts of the country experienced heavy downpours on Sunday evening, which lasted throughout the night. Similar weather patterns were recorded last week from Sunday, March 9, 2025, until Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

The Met Department has advised Kenyans to stay informed and take necessary precautions, particularly in areas prone to flooding and sudden temperature changes.

Farmers have also been urged to prepare accordingly and seek guidance from agricultural extension officers.

A weather outlook released on February 28 predicted that most regions will experience near to above-average rainfall, though some areas may receive below-average levels.

The anticipated rains are expected to bring relief to parts of the country that have been facing dry conditions.