Kenya Met Warns of Rainfall Across Several Counties as El Nino Looms

Kenya Met Lists Areas Expected to Receive Heavy Rainfall. PHOTO/ TV47

The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall in several counties between Sunday, September 13 and Thursday, September 17, 2026, as the country continues to monitor the anticipated El Niño event.

The five-day forecast, issued on Friday, September 11, shows that rainfall will mainly occur during mornings and afternoons in different parts of the country, while some areas will experience showers at night.

According to Kenya Met, counties in western Kenya, the Coast, parts of the Rift Valley and northeastern regions are among areas expected to receive rainfall during the forecast period.

Kenya Met Forecasts Rainfall in Several Counties

At the Coast, Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi are expected to receive light showers on several mornings, with sunny intervals forecast during some afternoons. Lamu will experience light showers from Tuesday, while moderate showers are expected on Wednesday morning.

Taita/Taveta is forecast to receive light rains on Sunday morning, followed by mostly sunny conditions during the week, although light showers are expected on Tuesday afternoon and Thursday night.

In western Kenya, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu and Nandi are expected to receive moderate showers on Sunday and Monday afternoons, followed by light showers on subsequent days.

Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma and Busia will also experience afternoon showers on several days. Siaya and Kisumu are similarly expected to record light afternoon showers throughout most of the forecast period.

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Further south, Migori is forecast to receive moderate showers on Monday afternoon, while Kisii and Nyamira are expected to experience light afternoon showers on most days.

Temperatures to Reach 38°C in Mandera

The forecast shows considerable differences in temperatures across the country during the five days.

Mandera will record some of the highest temperatures, with maximum temperatures reaching 38°C on Sunday and Wednesday and 37°C on Thursday. Garissa will reach a high of 36°C on Thursday, while Wajir will record up to 35°C on Sunday and Thursday.

Turkana will also remain hot, with maximum temperatures ranging between 36°C and 37°C throughout the period.

At the Coast, temperatures will range between 28°C and 32°C, while Nairobi will record maximum temperatures of between 24°C and 28°C. The capital is expected to receive light afternoon showers on Sunday and Monday, with another chance of rainfall on Wednesday.

Some highland areas will experience much cooler nights. Nyandarua is forecast to record minimum temperatures as low as 6°C, while Samburu could fall to 6°C on Sunday.

Meru will become colder towards the end of the forecast period, with minimum temperatures dropping to 11°C on Thursday.

Rainfall Patterns Vary Across Regions

Parts of the eastern and central regions will generally experience sunny intervals during the day, although some counties will receive isolated showers.

Tharaka-Nithi and Embu are expected to receive light afternoon showers on Sunday, while Kitui could record showers on Sunday and Tuesday afternoons. Nyandarua and Nyeri will also experience afternoon rainfall on several days.

Also Read: Kenya Met Reveals October-December Forecast as El Niño Intensifies

Machakos and Makueni are expected to remain largely dry, with sunny intervals during the day and partly cloudy conditions at night. Kajiado will similarly experience predominantly sunny conditions throughout the five days.

In the Rift Valley, Nakuru and Narok are expected to receive light afternoon showers on most days. Kericho and Bomet will experience light to moderate showers, with Kericho recording moderate showers on Monday and Tuesday.

The department advised that the five-day forecast should be used together with its daily 24-hour forecasts, which provide updated weather information as conditions change. Specific county forecasts are also available through the respective County Directors of Meteorological Services.

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