Long rains set to begin in February and March countrywide – Met Department

The Kenya Meteorological Department has predicted that the long rain season that normally runs from March to May will begin in February in some parts of the country.

Met Director General Dr David Gikungu said on Wednesday that the season in most parts would run between February and June.

The announcement which comes amid heavy downpours in some parts of the country especially Nairobi over the past few days, states that some parts will receive high and others low rainfall.

The Lake Victoria Basin and the Highlands West of the Rift Valley are expected to experience above-average rainfall starting in February with the peak expected in April and May for most areas.

 “The MAM 2025 forecast indicates that near to above-average rainfall is expected over the Lake Victoria Basin, South Rift Valley, most of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the southern parts of the Southeastern lowlands and the extreme northern parts of northwestern Kenya,” Met stated.

Counties in the Lake Victoria Basin, South Rift Valley and some parts of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley include Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Narok, Bomet, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Nandi, Kakamega and Vihiga.

Counties in Central and North Rift Valley and parts of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley where above-average rains also start in February are Nakuru, Baringo, Western parts of Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma and Southern parts of West Pokot.

The weatherman at the same time predicted that counties in the highlands East of the Rift Valley and Nairobi County would begin experiencing rains between the fourth week of March and April.

Some of the affected counties are Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Embu, Meru, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nairobi Counties and eastern parts of Laikipia County.

South Eastern Lowlands of Kajiado, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Tana River and Taita Taveta counties are expected to experience occasional rains in February followed by a dry spell before the season rains kick off towards the end of March or the beginning of February.

However, the North Coast region of Lamu, Coastal parts of Tana River, Northern parts of Kilifi, Coastal region, Northwest of Turkana and Samburu and Northern parts of West Pokot will begin receiving their rains in April.

The North Eastern counties of Wajir, Isiolo, Garissa, Mandera and Marsabit will also have their onset in the same period.

While cautioning the public to watch out for storms in some areas, the Met department has also urged the public to consider the outlook of a 24-hour, 5-day, 7-day, monthly forecast for a more detailed weather change.