According to Dr David Gikungu, the Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department, the country's high temperatures are normal before the onset of the long rains.
The high temperatures experienced since December have peaked at 32°C in the Highlands East of the Rift Valley—including Nairobi and Kiambu—while other parts of the country have recorded highs of over 36°C.
Speaking during an interview on KBC on Monday night, Dr Gikungu revealed that the country will begin receiving rainfall next week in areas such as Nairobi.
"This season that we are looking to begin in mid-March is always preceded by very high temperatures,” he said.
Adding, “Temperatures are caused by the presence or absence of the sun. Generally, the Earth revolves around the sun. It's easier when we look at the sun as the one that moves across the equator to the north and to the south.”
According to Dr Gikungu, the sun is moving towards its position above the equator, and as a result, this movement causes significant heating and very low pressure, which attracts winds.
“When these winds are blowing over masses of water, like the ocean, they will bring with them the clouds that result in rainfall,” he explained. This process will ultimately lead to lower temperatures.
Last week, the Kenya Meteorological Department announced the start of the March-April-May long rains season, set to begin next week.
According to the Kenya Meteorological Department's Seasonal Weather Forecast for March-April-May (MAM) 2025, warmer-than-average temperatures are expected across the entire country, with increased probabilities over the coastal and northern regions.
The forecast does not provide specific temperature values for individual locations such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Kiambu. However, it indicates that the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi County, are expected to experience near-to-below-average rainfall during this period.
Similarly, the coastal region, including Mombasa, is projected to receive near-to-below-average rainfall, with the peak of the rains expected in May.
