Met lists areas to experience continued heavy rainfall

The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued an updated heavy rainfall advisory warning that significant downpours will continue across several parts of the country through early March.

The department classified the situation as expected heavy rainfall with moderate to heavy severity and a moderate probability of occurrence estimated between 33 and 66 per cent.

The advisory is valid from February 25, 2026, at 4.00 pm to March 3, 2026, at 9.00 pm.

According to the department, areas currently experiencing more than 20mm of rainfall within 24 hours are expected to continue receiving heavy rains from February 25 to February 28, 2026, with the weather system likely to spread to parts of the Northeastern region.

The weatherman projected that rainfall intensity will begin to decrease by March 1, 2026, over the Southeastern lowlands, the Coastal region and the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi.

However, heavy rainfall exceeding 20mm within 24 hours is expected to persist over the Lake Victoria Basin and the Highlands West of the Rift Valley until March 3, 2026.

The Department said heavy rainfall will be experienced in counties including Migori, Nyamira, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Kisii, Kericho, Bomet and Kiambu

Others are Embu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Laikipia, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Nairobi, Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Taita-Taveta, Kitui, Kwale, Mombasa, Tana River and Kilifi, as well as parts of Isiolo, Marsabit and Garissa counties.

Residents in all the mentioned areas have been advised to remain on the lookout for potential floods, flash floods and poor visibility.

The department cautioned that floodwaters may appear in places where it has not rained heavily, especially in downstream areas.

Kenya Met urged Kenyans to avoid driving or walking through moving water or open fields and to refrain from sheltering under trees and near grilled windows in order to minimise exposure to lightning strikes.

A routine weather advisory from the Kenya Meteorological Department dated February 20, 2026, listed 22 counties expected to continue experiencing heavy rainfall until February 26.

Counties included in the national climate advisory are Tana River, Mombasa, Kericho, Nairobi, Machakos, Narok, Kisii, Migori and Nandi.

“The rainfall being experienced over the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and highlands west and east of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi, is expected to intensify to more than 20mm in 24 hours on 21st February 2026,” stated the advisory update signed by KMD acting Director Edward Muriuki.

“The heavy rainfall is likely to intensify to more than 30mm in 24 hours on 22nd, 23rd, and 24th February 2026 and spread to the southeastern lowlands and the Coastal region, especially the south Coast. It is projected to reduce in intensity on 25th February 2026.”

KMD has advised residents in the listed regions to exercise caution and avoid exposing themselves to risks that could endanger their lives or those of their loved ones during this brief rainy season.

The advisory has also been sent to the Presidency and all emergency and disaster-related agencies as a precaution in case urgent assistance is needed.