Nairobi: Thundering skies denying residents good sleep

On Tuesday night, April 8, 2025, residents of Nairobi’s Eastlands area were treated to fairly heavy rains and thunderstorm.

This is not the first time residents of Nairobi have had their nights disrupted by sounds of thunder. 

A few days ago, residents endured another rough night; characterised by showers and loud thunder. It even became a subject of discussion in churches, on the streets and inside public service vehicles that next morning.

Some of the people who spoke to Wananchi Reporting said the thunders were a new experience, something they are not used to.

The Kenya Meteorological Department in their most recent projections published on their website, indicated that the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi County, will experience showers and thunderstorm in the coming days.  

Information on the website, which covers April 9 to April 13, 2025, indicates that afternoons will experience showers and thunderstorms over several places until Sunday.

In Nairobi’s Eastland area, many have complained about the occasional night thunders.

The residents told Wananchi Reporting that the night rains have been noisy – with loud sounds of thunder piercing the dark skies, scaring children and even adults.

“I grew up in Nairobi, and it’s quite unusual to hear thunder, but the last few nights have been characterised by a lot of it,” said Mama Devona Oketch, a mother of three who lives in Kayole.

Adding that the thunders have become part of small talks in the estates. 

You will hear people asking, 'uliskia hiyo radi' - said Oketch.  

Steve Kamau, a father of two, told Wananchi Reporting that many parents are having to reassure young children to put them back to sleep after their sleep gets disrupted.

Meanwhile, some Kenyans are already making memes to this effect.