•However, the cold weather will continue, only becoming gloomier as the skies are expected to remain grey and overcast.
•Central Kenya and Nairobi, which have been having afternoon rains, will be drier, but cloudy toward Sunday, when the five-day forecast report expires.
Image: HANDOUT
The ongoing light rains are expected to reduce towards the weekend.
However, the cold weather will continue, only becoming gloomier as the skies are expected to remain grey and overcast.
“Intermittent cool and cloudy conditions are expected over some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Southeastern lowlands and the Rift Valley,” said Joseph Thiong’o, a deputy director at the meteorological department.
Thiong’o said intermittent rains will still continue in over the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley and the Coast.
This region refers to Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia and West Pokot Counties.
The coast covers Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale counties.
Central Kenya and Nairobi, which have been having afternoon rains, will be drier, but cloudy towards Sunday, when the five-day forecast report expires.
The rains have helped bring down food prices over the past two months, bringing much-needed relief to consumers.
The Tegemeo Institute recently said food prices have eased as the harvest period in different parts of the country starts.
United Grain Millers Association chairperson Kennedy Nyaga said a 90kg bag of maize is selling at between Sh2,800 and Sh3,200.
In Nairobi, maize is selling at between Sh3,050 and Sh3,100. In Nakuru, the 90kg bag is selling at Sh2,870, in Embu Sh3,000 and Sh3,000-Sh3,200 in Thika.
A bale of maize flour is retailing at between Sh1,150 to Sh1,360 in different areas.
A spot check by the Star showed that the price of different basic commodities has reduced.
A two-kilo packet of maize flour is selling at between Sh110 and Sh130 depending on the brand of unga in various supermarkets. This is a decrease of Sh5 to Sh7. Premium maize flour is selling at an average of Sh180.
A 2kg packet of sugar has also reduced to Sh300 from a high of Sh400 two months ago.
A bucket of Irish potatoes in different markets within Nairobi is selling at between Sh1,200 and Sh1,000. This is a decrease of more than Sh300 from the price it was selling at the beginning of the year.
Despite the good prospects for Kenya, about 17 countries in East Africa are facing escalating food insecurity.
A new report by UN on latest Hunger Hotspots covering between June and October 2024, has warned of the escalating food insecurity crisis in critical hotspots comprising 17 countries.
The joint report was released by the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme.
According to the Hunger Hotspots report, acute food insecurity is set to increase in magnitude and severity in 18 places.
The report said South Sudan, Sudan, Mali and the Palestinian territories are of the highest concern. Haiti is newly added because of escalating violence by non-state armed groups.
“These areas are experiencing famine or are at severe risk, requiring urgent action to prevent catastrophic conditions,” said the joint report.
Other African hunger hotspots countries where millions of people are facing acute food insecurity include Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Central African Republic and Burkina Faso.
The report found that many hotspots face growing hunger crises, and conflict, climate extremes and economic shocks continue to drive vulnerable households into food emergencies.
FAO director general QU Dongyu said the daunting prospects highlighted in this report should serve as a wake-up call.
“We need to spearhead the shift from responding to crises after they occur to more proactive anticipatory approaches, prevention and resilience building to help vulnerable communities cope with upcoming shocks. Acting ahead of crises can save lives, reduce food shortages and protect livelihoods at a much lower cost than a not timely humanitarian response,” Dongyu said.
Cindy McCain, WFP executive director said once a famine is declared, it is too late because many people will have already starved to death.