'It's unbearable!' Kenyans concerned as Nairobi gets too hot

Over the last week or so, alot of Kenyans on X (and other social media platforms) have been commenting on how a blistering heatwave has battered Nairobi - and maybe other parts of the country.

Many observers have noted that it has become almost unbearable to stay indoors with the windows shut or, at least, without turning the fan on.

Others are saying that the heat is not just indoors - it's actually worse in the outdoors where many are unable to stay for extended periods due to the excessiveness of heat in the atmosphere.

According to some, the dangerously high temperatures have persisted in the capital city since the beginning of February with many attributing the sweltering heat to many factors including climate change and the emission of greenhouse gases.

According to Accuweather, daytime highs in Nairobi are ranging from between 30° and 32° degrees Celsius.

On Monday, February 19, for instance, the temperature in Nairobi was 31° Celsius.

While commenting about the heat abnormalities, X influencer Juma G said, "The sun rays hitting the ground in Nairobi are something else...The worst is heat during the day and the worst heat during the night!"

Another Kenyan noted: "The heat wave currently in Nairobi is no joke! Yaani jua imeamua kuwaka na familia yake yote. Employers, can we get a pass to go to the office in a bikini?"

Complaining about the heatwave too was X user Karen Njeri who said, "Nairobi just became Mombasa... because what in the heat is this? Nairobi is literally an oven. Been taking cold showers but still sweating like hell at night!"

These historically high temperatures are actually a repeat of a similar phenomenon which happened at around the same time last year - in February.

Back in November 2023, scientists noted that the cyclical El Niño effect, which helped put the world on track for a heat record, would continue to exacerbate and interfere with weather patterns into early 2024.

"The naturally occurring warming effect in the Pacific Ocean can cause global temperatures to rise in the short term and wreak havoc on crop yields in some parts of the world, " scientists said.

While appearing on KBC on February 4, 2023, the Kenya Meteorological Department Director David Gikungu explained that the then high temperatures Nairobi residents were experiencing at night were a result of the heat experienced during the day.

"What happens when there are very high temperatures during the day is that heat is stored by the ground and you may not expect the temperatures to go down during the night, " he then explained.

"Longwave radiation is experienced during the night and it may still be lingering deep into the night and that is why the temperature is high."

Common effects of heatwaves include dizziness, nausea, fainting, confusion, muscle cramps, headaches, heavy sweating and tiredness.

Experts, therefore, advise people to combat the extreme heat by, among other things, taking cold baths before going to bed, staying indoors, monitoring blood pressure, going slow on alcoholic drinks, staying hydrated and taking lots of fruits.