It will not rain in Kilifi if residents do not absolve themselves of the "merciless killing of the elderly", a traditional weatherman has said.
"We have slaughtered our innocent fathers and grandfathers on allegations of witchcraft. We have to offer sacrifices to cleanse ourselves and ask for forgiveness or else there will be no rain,” Garero Mwawara said.
The Rabail Kaya elder noted that the haphazard cutting of trees worsens the situation.
Elders are concerned that they have not spotted certain birds and ants, Mwarara told a workshop at Pumwani University on Thursday.
He added the even shedding of leaves from certain trees as another missing traditional sign of rain.
County Meteorological director Edward Amoni said that long rains will delay due to the expected prevailing evolution of sea surface temperatures.
He said the rains may begin on the first week of April and continue till June, but in smaller portions that in 2014 when the season didn't last long.
County Agriculture director Margaret Jefwa called for cooperation in ensuring food security.
“We all have heard from the experts that the rainfall distribution will be poor. Let’s make sure all our farmers have information and strategies in place. We do not want to hear of people dying of hunger," she said.