Rains to return this week with heavy downfall later in the month — Met

Nairobi residents along Mirema Drive in Roysambu constituency/FILE

Rains are expected to increase across many parts of the country this week, with farmers in many places advised to finalise weeding.

The Kenya Meteorological Department says rainfall will continue in key farming areas between April 7 and 13, although it will not be everywhere.

“Rainfall is expected to continue in some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the South Rift Valley, the Southeastern Lowlands, the Coast and Northeastern Kenya,” Met director Edward Muriuki said in a statement.

Highlands west of the Rift Valley comprise Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Busia, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori counties.

The highlands east of the Rift Valley refer to Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Nairobi counties.

The rains are also expected in South Rift counties of Narok and Kajiado, the Southeastern lowlands including Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Taita Taveta as well as inland Tana River), the Coast (Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale including Tana Delta), and Northeastern (Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo).

Muriuki said the rains will not be heavy or spread across all areas.

“Morning rains are likely to occur over a few places. Afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms are expected over a few places,” he said about the highlands west of the Rift Valley and the Lake Victoria Basin.

This means rain will come in short periods and only in some areas, not everywhere at the same time.

The same pattern is expected in many parts of the country.

“Mornings are likely to be cloudy, with occasional rains over a few places, giving way to sunny intervals. Afternoon and night showers are expected over a few places,” Muriuki said for areas east of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi.

In the north-east, rain is also expected, especially early in the week.

“Morning rains as well as afternoon and night showers are likely to occur over a few places during the first half of the forecast period,” Met said.

Even in drier areas such as the south-eastern lowlands, some rain is expected.

“Sunny intervals are expected during the day, with partly cloudy conditions at night. However, morning rains as well as afternoon and night showers may occur over a few places.” 

Temperatures will remain high in some regions, especially in the north and along the coast.

Daytime (maximum) average temperatures of more than 30°C are expected in the Coast, the Southeastern lowlands, Northeastern and Northwestern Kenya.

 Night-time average temperatures are expected to be less than 10°C in some parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, the Central Rift Valley and in the vicinity of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The forecast shows that the rains have reduced slightly in the past week but are now picking up again.

“Rainfall was recorded in several parts of the country… Comparing the March 23 to 29 and the March 30 to April 5, 2026 review periods, it is noted that rainfall amounts decreased throughout the country,” the statement said.

This means the current week marks a return of rain after a short break.

At the beginning of this month, Met had urged farmers to take advantage of the reduced rains to prepare their farms, weed crops and apply fertiliser before heavier rains return later this month.

 The April rains are expected to pick up strongly after next week.

According to the weatherman, the first half of April will have fewer and lighter rains in many areas, before heavier and more widespread rains later in the month.