- A separate three-month forecast issued last week indicated the country would have a mostly dry weather until October
- Maize farmers are already experiencing a significant shift in the market as the national average wholesale price for a 90kg bag of maize dropped from Sh3,450 in May to Sh3,250 in June
Image: FILE
Cold weather will return to many parts of the country in the days leading to the weekend, the Met predicts.
The alternating conditions are likely to be the norm this month, the weatherman said in a five-day forecast ending Monday.
This week began with sunny conditions and relatively warm daytime experienced over most parts of the country.
“These will give way to intermittent cold and cloudy conditions over some parts the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the South-eastern lowlands and the Rift Valley,” head of meteorological department David Gikungu said on Wednesday.
Highlands east of the Rift Valley cover Nairobi, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi.
South-eastern lowlands cover Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado and Taita Taveta counties.
Highlands West of the Rift Valley and the Lake Victoria Basin comprise 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.
“Rainfall is expected to continue over some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, North-western Kenya, the Rift Valley and the Coast,” Dr Gikungu said.
The counties of Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo will be mostly dry.
A separate three-month forecast issued last week indicated the country would have mostly dry weather until October.
However, some 22 counties in western Kenya and most of the Rift Valley, will have occasional rains.
They will be slightly more than normal in August, September and October.
This is usually the harvest and drying period for most of the food crops planted in late March.
Maize farmers are already experiencing a significant shift in the market as the national average wholesale price for a 90kg bag of maize dropped from Sh3,450 in May to Sh3,250 in June.
The Food and Nutrition Security Report attributed the drop to favourable weather conditions, increased supply and market dynamics.
The report was released by the State Department of Agriculture.
The highest wholesale prices were reported in Bomet, Busia and Kwale at Sh4,500 per 90kg bag.
The lowest wholesale prices were reported in Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties at Sh2,500 for a 90kg bag.
“The decline in prices is attributed to good maize production in 2023. By the end of the month of June, the average retail price of a two kilo packet of unga was Sh129 in supermarkets in Nairobi,” the report said.
The maize balance sheet projected to end of September shows a surplus of 28.3 million 50kg bags.
This is based on carryover stocks of 35.2 million bags in June and an estimated 1.35 million bags as forecast imports over the next three months.
The food report indicates 20.5 million bags planted early in January will be harvested from low altitude counties including Bomet, parts of Narok, Nyamira and parts of Migori.
“The improved crop production in 2023 and improved local supplies of most food staples continue to impact on the importation of most basic staples with a general declining trend since January 2024.”
It further showed that the total imports of maize have been on a decreasing trend since March.
In June, maize imports decreased further from 516,151 (50kg) bags in May, to 389,778 bags, and compared to 633,555 imported in March.
“Most of the maize imports was from Tanzania with considerable amounts coming in from Uganda. It is noted that between January to June 2023, a total of 7.9 million bags had been imported.”