Kenya Met Issues Heavy Rainfall Advisory: What to Expect in the Next 24 Hours

The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has issued a fresh weather advisory, warning of moderate to heavy rainfall set to pound several parts of the country over the next 24 hours. This alert comes as the Long Rains season (March-May) gains momentum, bringing heightened risks of localised flooding and infrastructure disruption.

The advisory, which remains in effect through Saturday morning, primarily targets the Nairobi Metropolitan area, the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, and the Lake Victoria Basin.

Key areas

According to the latest forecast from the KMD, residents in the following regions should remain on high alert:

• Nairobi County, Kiambu, and parts of Machakos and Kajiado. Heavy downpours are expected to peak during the afternoon and evening hours.

• Counties including Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu, and Meru.

• Kisumu, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia are likely to experience thunderstorms following morning sunny intervals.

• Showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecast for Kitui, Makueni, and Taita Taveta.

Potential impacts and risks

KMD has cautioned that the intensity of the rain, expected to exceed 20mm in 24 hours in some pockets, could lead to several safety and logistical challenges:

• Urban areas with poor drainage systems, particularly within Nairobi (Westlands, South C, and Thika Road), are at high risk of flash floods.

• Motorists are advised to be wary of sudden heavy downpours that significantly reduce visibility on highways.

• Ongoing construction and saturated soils increase the risk of road accidents and landslides in hilly terrains.

• Residents in Western Kenya and the Highlands are urged not to shelter under trees or near grilled windows during thunderstorms.

Safety recommendations

The Kenya Meteorological Department and emergency response teams have issued the following guidelines for the next 24 hours:

1. Do not attempt to walk or drive through moving water, even if it appears shallow.

2. Expect significant traffic disruptions in major towns during the evening rush hour.

3. Stay tuned to official KMD social media channels and local news for real-time changes in weather patterns.

4. Ensure drainage channels around homes are clear of debris to prevent water backflow.

“The soils in many regions are already saturated from the rainfall received earlier this week,” noted a senior forecaster. “This means even moderate rain can lead to immediate surface runoff and flooding.”

For more, click HERE to join our WhatsApp channel!