The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a week-long heavy rainfall advisory affecting 38 counties from October 23 to October 30.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 22, the department said the rains will intensify over several regions and could lead to flooding, landslides, and lightning incidents.
The advisory indicates that the current rainfall affecting parts of the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and the highlands west of the Rift Valley will strengthen and extend to the central and eastern highlands, including Nairobi and parts of the southeastern lowlands.
It further notes that the rains will continue throughout the week and spread to northeastern Kenya by the end of the period.
The affected counties include Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Narok, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West-Pokot, Turkana, and Isiolo.
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Others are Samburu, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Nairobi, and parts of Kajiado, Machakos, and Makueni.
Residents in these counties have been advised to remain alert and take precautions as floodwaters may appear in unexpected areas.
"Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to be on the lookout for potential floods. Flood waters may appear in places where it has not rained heavily, especially downstream," the advisory warned.
The department also urged the public to exercise caution during storms and avoid risky behavior.
"People are advised to avoid driving through or walking in moving water, open fields, and not to shelter under trees and near grilled windows to minimize exposure to lightning strikes," the advisory added.
Further, those living in hilly and mountainous areas have been warned to stay vigilant as the rains could trigger landslides.
"People in landslide-prone areas, especially over the slopes of Aberdare ranges, Mt. Kenya, and other sloppy areas over the western region, should be on high alert," the advisory further warned.
This comes two days after Kenya Met warned of heavy rainfall in six regions this week.
In a weather forecast on Tuesday, October 21, the Met Department predicted that the intensity of rainfall would increase across several parts of the Central Highlands, including Nairobi, as well as the Lake Victoria Basin and Western Kenya regions.
The South-eastern Lowlands, the Rift Valley, and North-western Kenya regions will also experience heavy downpour.
The weatherman advised Kenyans living within the six regions to stay alert and take necessary precautions.
“Isolated heavy rainfall events may occur over some parts of these regions. Residents are advised to remain alert and take necessary precautions,” the Met Department stated.
In the highlands west of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the Rift Valley, morning rains are likely to occur over a few places, followed by afternoon showers and thunderstorms in several areas. Night showers are likely to occur over a few places occasionally spreading to several places.
In the highlands east of the Rift Valley, mornings are likely to be cloudy, with occasional rains over a few places, giving way to sunny intervals.
Afternoon showers are likely to occur in a few to several areas, while nights are expected to be partly cloudy, with occasional showers.
At the same time, the Met Department predicted that maximum daytime temperatures above 30°C are expected in the Coastal, North-eastern, and North-western regions.
Meanwhile, minimum night-time temperatures of below 10°C are expected in parts of the Central Highlands, the Central Rift Valley, and areas near Mt. Kilimanjaro.
