The Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department, David Gikungu, now says that Kenyans should brace for intense rains over the next seven days, between Tuesday, April 22, and April 28.
Gikungu, in a notice to members of the public on Monday evening, said heavy rains were expected, particularly in the Central Highlands, including Nairobi, Western Kenya, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Southeastern Lowlands, the Central and South Rift Valley, and Northeastern Kenya.
Counties such as Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and Nairobi, which are located in Central Kenya, were forecast to receive moderate to heavy rains this week.
According to the Kenya Met boss, moderate rains were expected in the aforementioned counties during the first half of the forecast period, after which heavy rains would follow for the remainder of the week.
Gikungu also predicted heavy rains in Lake Victoria Basin and Rift Valley region counties, including Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Busia, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia and Uasin-Gishu.
Elgeyo-Marakwet, West-Pokot, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori and Narok Counties were also projected to experience heavy rains for the next seven days.
In the southeastern lowland counties of Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado and Taita-Taveta Counties, as well as the inland parts of Tana-River County, Gikungu said residents should expect overwhelming rains.
"Morning rains as well as afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms are likely to occur in these places, occasionally spreading to several places during the first half of the forecast period," Gikungu announced.
He went on to state that high daytime temperatures of more than 30°C would be experienced in the Coast, Northeastern and Northwestern Kenya, as well as over isolated areas in the Highlands West of the Rift Valley.
Counties in these regions include Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale, as well as the coastal parts of Tana River County, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo.
Similarly, Gikungu noted that average nighttime temperatures would be less than 10°C in some parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, the Central Rift Valley, and around Mt. Kilimanjaro.
According to the weatherman in his advisory, counties in these regions include Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Nairobi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Busia, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
