Kenyans walking in the rain in Nairobi /FILEThe Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall in several parts of the country between September 22 and 28, with the Coast, Northeastern, Western, Central and parts of the Rift Valley expected to receive rainfall.
Counties likely to experience rainfall include Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Murang’a, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Tharaka-Nithi, Kitui, Makueni, Narok, Baringo and Bomet.
Other areas expected to receive rainfall are Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kericho, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Nakuru, Nandi, Nyamira, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu and Vihiga, among other localised areas.
The weather department also expects daytime average maximum temperatures above 30°C in several counties, including Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo, Marsabit and Turkana.
Night-time average minimum temperatures below 10°C are expected in some parts of Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nakuru, Narok, Taita-Taveta and Kajiado counties.
The latest outlook comes as the country steps up preparedness ahead of the October-December (OND) rainfall season, with the department continuing to issue regular updates on expected rainfall patterns, temperatures and winds.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said on Friday that the government had put plans in place to prepare areas expected to be more vulnerable to the effects of the rains.
Ruku said the government was ready to respond quickly to emergencies and prevent loss of life in affected areas.
“We are prepared, and we have put all the necessary plans in place,” he said.
He said the government had stationed resources in areas considered more vulnerable to the expected rains.
The forecast, covering September 19 and 20, listed several counties that will record showers.
Among them are Kericho, Kakamega, Vihiga, Nandi, Kisumu, Baringo, Bomet, Homa Bay, Nakuru, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya, Migori, Nyamira, Uasin Gishu, and Trans Nzoia.
Other counties cited are Nyandarua, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Nairobi, Embu, Meru, Nyeri, Mombasa, Kwale, Lamu and Kilifi.
The weatherman said the showers would not necessarily persist throughout the day, with sunny intervals projected over most parts of the country during the morning and afternoon.
The forecast pointed to a shift in conditions later in the day, with showers expected in some of the listed areas during the night.
The forecast covered a wide geographical area, stretching from the western and Rift Valley regions to parts of central Kenya, Nairobi and the Coast.
Residents in Nairobi and neighbouring counties including Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Embu are among those advised to expect rainfall, while several counties in western Kenya are also listed in the forecast.
