The Kenya Meteorological Department has cautioned Kenyans living in various parts of the country to brace for heavy downpours this weekend, starting from Friday to Tuesday next week.
In its advisory published on Friday, May 9, the weather department revealed that heavy rains were expected in parts of Highlands East, Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Coast, and the South-eastern lowlands.
In the counties of Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi and Nairobi, rains were expected to begin in the afternoon and extend into the night.
According to the advisory, mornings in the above counties were likely to be cloudy, with light rains over a few places, giving way to sunny intervals followed by heavy downpours in the afternoon, which would be accompanied by thunderstorms.
Residents living in counties located within the Lake Victoria basin and the Rift Valley region, including Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Busia, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia, were also urged to brace for heavy downpours.
Other counties within the Lake Victoria basin and the Rift Valley region are Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori and Narok.
While most parts of the country were expected to experience heavy rains, counties in the Southeastern lowlands, such as Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado and Taita-Taveta Counties were predicted to receive light showers.
A similar weather pattern was projected in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale Counties, as well as the coastal parts of Tana River County.
Temperature Advisory
In the advisory, Kenya Met also warned residents living in counties within the Highlands East of the Rift Valley and the Central Rift Valley regions to brace for very cold nights with temperatures below 10°C.
Counties in these regions include Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Nairobi, West Pokot, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori and Narok.
On the flip side, Kenyans living in the Coast and North-eastern regions, as well as Northwestern Kenya, were told to prepare for high daytime temperatures.
According to Kenya Met, these counties include Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo would experience very high daytime temperatures of above 30°C.
