Nairobi Braces for Days of Downpours as Kenya Met Issues Week-Long Rain Alert
Residents of Nairobi and several surrounding counties have been urged to prepare for persistent rainfall lasting through May 11, after the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) released its latest nationwide forecast.
In its weekly outlook covering May 5 to May 11, the weather agency warned that much of the country will experience a mix of cloudy conditions, afternoon showers, and thunderstorms, with the Highlands both east and west of the Rift Valley expected to bear the brunt of the rains.
Counties neighbouring Nairobi—including Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Embu, Meru, Kirinyaga and Tharaka-Nithi—are forecast to see cloudy mornings giving way to widespread afternoon and nighttime downpours.
“Rainfall is expected to continue in the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley and some parts of the Coast, the Southeastern Lowlands, Northwestern and Northeastern Kenya,” KMSA said in its statement.
Western Kenya counties such as Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Siaya, Busia and Nandi are also expected to follow a similar pattern, with sunny intervals early in the day before heavy afternoon rains and thunderstorms develop across several areas. The Lake Victoria Basin will not be spared, with Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira forecast to receive steady showers, particularly in the afternoons and at night.
In the Rift Valley region—including Nakuru, Baringo, Kericho, Bomet, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot and Narok—residents should expect recurring storms throughout the week, especially later in the day.
Meanwhile, Laikipia and Nyandarua counties will experience partly cloudy mornings with occasional light rain before thunderstorms return in the afternoon and evening.
Further north, Turkana and Samburu counties are expected to remain largely sunny and dry, although isolated morning rains and brief showers may still occur. A similar outlook applies to northeastern counties such as Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo, where sunny conditions will dominate despite occasional rainfall in a few areas.
Southeastern counties including Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado and Taita-Taveta will see sunny intervals punctuated by scattered showers.
Temperature variations are also expected across the country. Lodwar is projected to record the highest temperatures at around 37°C, while Nairobi will see daytime highs of about 26°C, dropping to 14°C at night. Nyahururu is forecast to remain the coldest, with daytime temperatures peaking at 23°C.
The weather agency has issued a public safety advisory, urging Kenyans to remain vigilant during the wet spell. Residents have been cautioned against walking or driving through moving water, seeking shelter under trees during storms, and staying away from flood-prone and landslide-risk areas, particularly along the Tana River.
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