Residents in Nairobi and several other parts of the country have been warned to prepare for heavy rainfall expected between Saturday, October 24, and Friday, October 30.
The Kenya Meteorological Service said on Friday that rainfall exceeding 20 millimetres was expected in parts of the Coast, Northeastern, Western, Rift Valley, Central Kenya and Southeastern Lowlands regions.
The rains are also expected to be accompanied by strong winds of more than 46 kilometres per hour, particularly in coastal, eastern and northern parts of the country.
“Moderate to heavy rains exceeding 20 mm are anticipated over the counties in Coast, Northeastern, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, the Central Highlands,” Kenya Met said.
Counties that will likely experience rainfall include Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit and Isiolo.
Other counties include Migori, Nyamira, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Nandi and Uasin Gishu.
The statement also applies to Nakuru, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Kisii, Kericho, Bomet, Kiambu, Embu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Laikipia, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, Narok, Kajiado, Taita-Taveta, Kitui, Machakos and Makueni, as well as Nairobi City County.
Kenya Met also advised people living in those counties to keep watching out for any flash floods since it is likely that there might be floods even where there was no rain.
Downstream counties are more likely to be affected by floods because water will flow from where it has been raining heavily.
It also warned people about poor visibility.
Residents were advised to avoid sheltering under trees or standing near grilled windows during thunderstorms. Those in hot areas were also encouraged to drink enough water.
“Residents in all the mentioned areas should remain vigilant for potential flash floods and poor visibility. Note that floodwaters may occur in areas where it has not rained heavily, particularly downstream,” the agency said.
Kenya Met has also forecast ocean waves exceeding two metres on Sunday, October 25. Fishers, mariners and other people undertaking activities at sea were advised to exercise caution.
The warning comes as the country awaits the October-November-December rainfall season, which had earlier been expected to begin in some areas between the second and third weeks of October.
However, the onset of the rains has been delayed in several regions, with some parts of the country still experiencing sunny, dry conditions and unusually high temperatures despite earlier forecasts.
