There will be heavy downpour in many parts of the country this weekend marking the onset of the long rains season, the weatherman has warned. Heavy rains are expected in Western Kenya near Lake Victoria, the Rift Valley highlands, Central Kenya and Nairobi.
In a statement yesterday, meteorological department's deputy director Peter Ambenje said people in Migori, Kisii, Homa Bay, Siaya, parts of Kisumu, Kisii and Nyamira should brace for heavier rains.
He said parts of Central Kenya like Embu, Meru and Nyeri, Nairobi and parts of Turkana bordering Uganda will also receive more downpour for the next five days. “Rainfall is expected to reduce in intensity as well as the spatial coverage in the last two days of the forecast period,” Ambenje said.
The announcement mirrors an earlier seasonal forecast that said the long-awaited rains will come during the second to third week of March. “The month of March normally marks the onset of the long rains (March-May) season over most parts of the country,” Ambenje said.
Farmers are expected to begin planting in most of these regions but the meteorological department said they should first consult agricultural officers on the best crops to plant.
North eastern Kenya is however expected to remain dry until April. The coastal strip will also receive the first showers in the first week of April, which will continue to June.
Earlier, the weathermen allayed fears of drought noting that most parts of the country would receive enough rain. A three-month forecast issued two weeks ago shows the rains will peak in April in most places but end in mid May.