Weather scientists say the anticipated El Nino rains will strike more intensely from October to December even as they downplayed concerns that the intensity will surpass the 2007 downpour.
Principal Meteorologist at the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority (KMSA) Jemima Gacheru said most areas will receive above normal rains during the forecast period, with spilage into January in some regions.
"Where we are right now, we haven't reached those thresholds of 1997 but it doesn't mean there will not be rain, it will rain and the rain will be above what we usually experience this season," she said.
Gacheru dymistified a common misconception that El Nino automatically means extreme weather conditions associated with torrential rains.
"El Nino will generally bring enhanced rainfall but not all the time. Since 1997, we've more than five El Nino events of varying magnitude
Col Rt David Samoei, Director, National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC):
Floods are inevitable, people will be displaced, possible building collapse and transport disruption due to destroyed road infrastructure.
"We are working with worst case scenario, that there will be floods all over the country. That the rains will be like in 1997 if not even more. Other institutions say this will be the heaviest rain in 50 years."
He said a multi-agency response centre set up at Nyayo House, meets every Wednesday to strategise and map out the hotspot counties.
"We are expecting a lot of drowning, a lot of aquatic accidents so we have trained a lot of divers. We are training at least three from each county that we have been told has a problem."
Said authority is prepared now more than ever before after carrying out a number of simulations in Naivasha.
Maj Rt Venant Ndighila, Head of Disaster Operations, Kenya red Cross:
Expecting massive impact, 500,000 people (100,000 households) likely to be displaced; 1.5 million likely to be affected directly.
Very concerned with behaviour of Kenyans not reacting approriately; recent past experiences many people drowned during early stages of disaster. Working with over 400 evacuation personnel and boats for rescue.
"We still see people trying to cross rivers when it's raining,trying to travel when there's a lot of water on the road."
"We are putting together materials to be able to support at least 400 households who are going to be displaced."
Land topography also expected to contribute to casualties. Running sensitisation campaigns in villages and issueing early warnings for early preparedness.
