Kenya Met announces dates for short rains across counties

According to the department, the Western region will experience slightly above-average rainfall while the central region will receive near to below-average rainfall. 

The forecast was derived from dynamic models and statistical analysis of the past years which showed similar characteristics to the current year. 

"The 2024 rainfall is expected to be poorly distributed, both in time and space over several parts of the country. The western sector is expected to have a fair to good distribution while the central sector is expected to have a poor to fair distribution. The rest of the country is expected to have a poor distribution," the statement read in part. 

Areas such as the Western region and Counties in North Rift Valley (Kericho, West Pokot, Nandi, Bomet, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nakuru, Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo) will experience rainfall from September to either third or fourth week of December.

This will be followed by occasional dry spells throughout the season. 

Counties in the Mt Kenya region (Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang'a, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi) and Nairobi will experience fair rainfall from the third week of October to either the first or second week of December, with an occasional rainfall towards the end of December. 

"These counties are likely to experience rainfall with some breaks (dry spells) during the season," the statement read in part. 

Counties in North Western (Turkana, Samburu) will continue experiencing short rains from September and is projected to end either during the fourth week of November or the first week of December. Prolonged dry spells are also likely to occur. 

In the Coastal region, short rains will begin in the fourth week of October to first or second week of December. 

Narok and its environs will experience short rains from the fourth week of October to either the third or fourth week of December.

Short rains will begin in the Northeastern region (Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit and Isiolo) from the fourth week of October to the first week of December. 

Short rains in Taita Taveta and Kajiado will commence from the first week of November to either the first or second week of December. 

In Makueni, Kitui, Tana River and Machakos, short rains will begin from November to the second week of December, with occasional rains towards the end of December. 

Kenya Met clarified that it would continue providing weekly weather updates and monthly forecasts in case the season progresses.