Govt Issues Warning on Heavy Rains

The Kenya Meteorological Department on Thursday, January 23 issued a notice to inform Kenyans of heavy rainfall expected to hit various parts of the country.

As per the notice, the rains are expected to start off low then rise to moderate. The department set the moderate probability of the occurrence of the rains at between 33 per cent to 66 per cent.

Heavy rainfall of more than 20mm is expected on Friday, January 24, in parts of South Western Kenya, Central and Nairobi.

Kenyans were cautioned that the rains are expected at 20mm in the next 24 hours across various parts of the country and will rise to 30mm from Saturday, January 25, to Monday, January 27 over the Coast, South Eastern, North Eastern, Central, Nairobi, Western Kenya. 

The coverage and intensity is expected to lower over the South Eastern, North Eastern and the Coast from January 28.

However, on January 28 and 29, Western and Central Rift regions are expected to receive more than 40mm of rainfall.

The rainfall is expected to subside from January 30 in most parts of the country.

Listed under the areas of concern are; Nairobi, Nyeri, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Murang'a, Embu, Meru, Kirinyaga, Tharaka Nithi, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Nakuru, Baringo, Samburu, Narok, Migori, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, West Pokot, Southern Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Vihiga, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya, Kakamega, Garissa, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Kilifi, parts of Tana River, and Lamu counties. 

Residents of the mentioned areas are therefore advised to be on the lookout for potential floods.

The department warned of the emergence of floodwaters even in regions that have not flooded before.

Residents are advised against walking through or driving in moving water. They are also required not to take shelter in open fields, under trees or near grilled windows to avoid exposure to lightning strikes.