Nairobi Residents Warned Of Rainfall, Intense Storms- Kenya Met

The Kenya Meteorological Department (Kenya Met) has cautioned Nairobi residents to brace for week-long heavy rains as well as the likely presence of storms.

In its weather update on Saturday, January 13, the weatherman indicated that the rainfall was anticipated to continue within the city as well as in several parts of the country from January 14 to January 20.

Various regions are set to experience rainfall during that period, with a focus on Western Kenya, the Lake Victoria Basin and the Rift Valley.

Other targeted areas include the Central Highlands, including Nairobi, the Southeastern lowlands, and the Coast region.

However, the northern regions of North-eastern and North-western Kenya are likely to remain generally dry.

"Most parts over the North-eastern and North-western Kenya are likely to be generally dry, however, rains are also expected to occasionally spread into counties of Isiolo, Samburu," the statement from Kenya Met read in part.

However, the weatherman mentioned that rains might occasionally reach Isiolo and Samburu counties. Additionally, there is a chance of light rainfall in the northern parts of Turkana on Monday and Tuesday next week.

According to the weatherman, there is a possibility of isolated storms in specific areas. These include parts of the Highlands East of Rift Valley, Nairobi County, South Rift Valley, and the South-eastern lowlands.

The Meteorological Department urges citizens to stay informed about the weather updates and be prepared for any changes.

The advisory comes as several parts of Nairobi were affected by floods following heavy rains on Friday night, January 12. Some houses were submerged in flood waters, and roads were rendered impassable.

Motorists were captured manoeuvring flooded sections of roads on Mombasa Road, Kenyatta, and Haile Selassie avenues. Pedestrians on the other hand sought help to cross roads as walking passages were flooded.

The floods also affected residents living in Garden Estate as most of the blame was attributed to poor drainage in the capital city.

Towards the end of 2023, meteorologists predicted that the El Nino weather phenomenon would be witnessed in the country until December.

However, the United Nations (UN), through its World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said that the El Nino phenomenon, which triggers higher global temperatures, is expected to last until at least April 2024.

El Nino is a naturally occurring climate pattern typically associated with increased heat worldwide, as well as drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere. This year, the phenomenon developed rapidly during July-August and was likely to peak between December 2023 and January.