The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rainfall alert for several regions, warning of possible flooding from Saturday afternoon through early Tuesday.
In an advisory released on Friday, the department said parts of the Southeastern lowlands are expected to receive more than 20 millimetres of rainfall within 24 hours on December 27, with the intensity increasing to over 30 millimetres on December 28 and 29. The rainfall is forecast to spread to the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the southern Coastal region, before easing on December 30.
Counties likely to be affected include Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Nairobi, Kericho, Bomet, southern Kitui, Taita Taveta and Kwale.
“Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to remain alert due to the risk of flooding,” the department warned.
The weatherman also cautioned that strong southeasterly winds of up to 25 knots are expected in Marsabit County over the next five days.
According to the forecast, occasional rainfall will affect the southern half of the country, with intensity increasing as the weekend progresses. Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties are expected to experience cloudy mornings with light rain and sunny intervals, followed by afternoon and nighttime showers. Temperatures in these areas will range from 5°C to 29°C.
Similar weather conditions are expected in Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, Taita Taveta and inland parts of Tana River County, with temperatures ranging between 13°C and 32°C.
Along the Coast, including Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale, as well as coastal parts of Tana River County, showers are expected on most days of the week, except Friday and Saturday morning and afternoon. Daytime temperatures may reach 34°C, with nighttime lows of around 23°C.
Counties in the Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western regions are likely to experience rainfall during both day and night. These include Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia and West Pokot, with temperatures ranging from 7°C to 32°C.
Meanwhile, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo counties will experience sunny intervals throughout the day, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 37°C. Turkana and Samburu counties are also expected to have sunny days and partly cloudy nights, with similar temperature ranges.
The department has urged residents in flood-prone areas to take precautionary measures as the heavy rains set in.
