Nairobi residents brave early morning rainfall and chilly weather on April 29, 2026. /FILE
The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast a mix of rainfall, thunderstorms and sunny conditions across the country from July 28 to August 3, with western, Rift Valley and parts of central Kenya expected to receive the heaviest rains.
According to the weekly county rainfall forecast, morning rains are likely in Siaya, Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Uasin Gishu and Turkana counties.
Residents of Embu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Meru, Murang'a, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Tharaka-Nithi should expect intermittent morning cloudiness accompanied by light rains in a few areas.
The department also forecast afternoon showers and thunderstorms in Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Embu, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Laikipia, Meru, Migori, Murang'a, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Siaya, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga and West Pokot.
Night showers are expected in Kisumu, Kakamega, Kisii, Nyamira, Vihiga, West Pokot, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori.
Meanwhile, Garissa, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Mombasa, Samburu, Taita-Taveta, Tana River and Wajir are expected to experience sunny intervals during the afternoons, while several other counties will have generally sunny mornings.
The meteorological department advised residents, particularly those in areas expected to receive thunderstorms, to remain alert and monitor weather updates throughout the week.
The department warned that daytime maximum temperatures will exceed 30°C in large parts of Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu and Turkana counties.
At the same time, cold nights are expected in the central highlands and parts of the Rift Valley, with minimum temperatures dropping below 10°C in some areas of Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nakuru, Kajiado and Taita Taveta.
Residents in areas expected to experience thunderstorms have been advised to
remain alert and take necessary precautions during the forecast period.
Meanwhile, counties at high risk have been urged to activate their anticipatory mechanisms ahead of the anticipated El Niño rains.
The counties include Homa Bay, Kisumu and Nakuru, where water levels in Lake Victoria, Lake Turkana, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Lake Elementaita, Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru are already rising.
Weather experts at the Kenya Meteorological Department said the counties should prepare for the worst-case scenario to protect lives and property ahead of the anticipated El Niño-driven heavy rainfall during the October-November-December short rains season.
“The two signals, the strong El Nino and the positive Indian Ocean Dipole, could enhance the rainfall, triggering an early onset of the season which could begin with torrential heavy rainfall resulting in flash floods over different parts of the country,” said Misiani Zachary, a Disaster Risk Management and Anticipatory Action Expert at the Kenya Met.
Speaking during a webinar on the potential impacts of the rains in Kenya, Misiani said Lake Victoria and Lake Naivasha are among the lakes that could be affected by water backflow.
