Kenya braces for widespread rainfall and storms in coming days

Kenyans have been advised to prepare for more rains as the country enters another stretch of wet weather, with thunderstorms and isolated heavy showers expected in most regions until Monday next week.

According to a five-day forecast released by the Kenya Meteorological Department, rainfall is expected from Thursday, May 8, to Monday, May 12.

The department said several regions would experience varying levels of rain, with some areas likely to receive intense downpours.

"Rainfall is expected over several parts of the country. Isolated heavy rainfall events may occur over some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the Coast, the South-eastern lowlands and North-western Kenya," the weatherman said.

The forecast highlighted the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the central Rift Valley as regions set to receive consistent rainfall from Thursday to Sunday.

These include Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, and West Pokot.

In these areas, afternoon thunderstorms will be widespread, especially from Thursday to Saturday, before slightly easing on Monday.

Nighttime showers will also be frequent, especially towards the end of the week.

Temperatures will range between 11°C and 30°C.

In North-western Kenya, counties such as Turkana and Samburu will receive rain showers and thunderstorms over several days.

Conditions are expected to stabilise slightly by Sunday.

Night showers will affect a few areas on most days, and daytime temperatures could climb up to 36°C, while night temperatures may drop to about 10°C.

The Highlands East of the Rift Valley, which include Nairobi, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka, will also receive widespread rains.

Mornings are expected to be mostly cloudy before giving way to sunny intervals from Saturday.

Thunderstorms are forecast for the afternoons from Thursday through Sunday, with a slight decrease on Monday.

Nighttime showers are expected to persist throughout the weekend. Temperatures in these areas will range from 8°C to 27°C.

North-eastern counties such as Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo will have a mix of warm and rainy conditions. Morning and afternoon showers are likely on Thursday and Friday, while the weekend is expected to be mostly sunny.

Night conditions will be partly cloudy, though light showers may be felt in a few places.

Daytime temperatures are forecast to peak at 37°C, with night temperatures between 11°C and 19°C.

In the South-eastern lowlands, which include Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, Taita Taveta, and the inland areas of Tana River County, sunny mornings will be followed by afternoon thunderstorms in parts of the region.

Night showers will also occur in a few areas. Daytime temperatures are expected to gradually rise from 30°C on Thursday to 33°C by Monday, with lows between 13°C and 15°C.

At the Coast, including Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, and coastal parts of Tana River, showers are expected in the mornings and afternoons for most of the forecast period.

However, Sunday and Monday are likely to experience a break in rainfall with brief sunshine and a few scattered showers.

The temperature range will be between 23°C and 34°C.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has urged residents, especially those in flood-prone areas, to take precautions and keep monitoring weather updates as conditions continue to shift over the next several days.