Rains to reduce this week but risk of flooding remains high — Met

Vehicles trapped in the Nairobi Flooding.

The risk of flooding and landslides across Kenya remains high this week, the Kenya Meteorological Department has warned.

This is despite an expected reduction in rainfall in the coming days.

The agency said the ground in many areas is already saturated after days of heavy rain last week and cannot absorb more water.

This means even lighter showers can still trigger floods and landslides and contaminate water supplies.

"Rainfall may persist into early next week, maintaining elevated risks of flooding, landslides and water contamination,” Acting Director of Meteorological Services Edward Muriuki said in a statement on Saturday.

In the department’s five-day forecast for this week, rain will still fall in many parts of the country, although the intense storms of last week are not expected.

Others are the highlands west of Rift Valley and Rift Valley (Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Baringo counties), Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet and Narok counties.

The central highlands (Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Nyandarua and Laikipia counties).

The southeastern lowlands (Machakos, Kajiado, Makueni, Kitui and Taita Taveta counties), the coastal region (Kwale, Mombasa and Kilifi counties).

In many of these regions, showers and thunderstorms are expected mainly in the afternoons and evenings, while mornings may be cloudy or partly sunny.

Even with reduced rainfall, meteorologists warn that flooding could still occur quickly.

Muriuki said many parts of the country last week received more than 20 millimetres of rain.

Night-time temperatures below 10°C are likely in parts of the Central Highlands, Central Rift Valley, and areas around Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Daytime temperatures above 30°C are expected in several areas including the Coast, South-eastern Lowlands, North-eastern and North-western Kenya. 

The warning comes after deadly floods swept through Nairobi and other parts of the country in recent days.

At least 23 people died after flash floods struck Nairobi following heavy overnight rains, police and emergency officials said.

Many victims were swept away by fast-moving floodwaters, while others died after being trapped inside vehicles or electrocuted by damaged and submerged power lines during the storms.

Police said more than 70 vehicles were damaged during the floods, while several neighbourhoods experienced severe flooding after rivers burst their banks and drainage systems overflowed.

Among the areas hardest hit in Nairobi were Westlands, Dagoretti, Embakasi, Kibra, Roysambu and Kasarani.

Wilson Airport recorded about 160 millimetres of rain within 24 hours, while other stations such as Moi Airbase, Kabete and Dagoretti also recorded very high rainfall totals.

The disaster has sparked debate about urban planning and drainage systems in the capital.

Experts say poor drainage, blocked rivers and settlements built near waterways make flooding worse during heavy rains.

Officials have urged residents to remain cautious, especially those living in low-lying areas or near rivers and steep slopes.

Public health experts are also warning about the risk of disease outbreaks saying floodwater can mix with sewage and garbage, contaminating water sources and increasing the risk of illnesses such as cholera and diarrhoea.

"The Meteorological Department will continue to closely monitor the evolving weather situation and provide timely updates to support preparedness and response efforts,” Muriuki said.

Kenya frequently experiences floods during the March-to-May rainy season, sometimes with deadly consequences.