- Stella Aura, director of Meteorological Services said the season is expected to experience a normal onset with fair distribution over the areas expected to receive near to above average rainfall and poor distribution in the ASAL region.
- Kenya Meteorological Department said the onset of the rains was expected to start in the second to third week of this month and continue till June.
Farmers in the North Rift will start planting from this week till the end of the month.
However, many of them may not be able to plant on time due to the high cost of fertiliser.
Kipkorir Menjo, director of the Kenya Farmers Association said the price of fertiliser has gone up and most farmers are still concerned.
A 50kg bag of fertiliser is currently selling at Sh6,000 from Sh3,000 the same period last year.
“Some farmers don’t know if they should wait and see if the government will subsidise fertiliser so that they can maintain their plans,"he spoke to the Star on Monday during an interview.
Others want to scale down because they cannot sustain or do not have funds to plant the normal acreage."
He added that farmers should have planted by end of the month as the rains are not far.
Kenya Meteorological Department said the onset of the rains was expected to start in the second to third week of this month and continue till June.
Stella Aura, director of Meteorological Services, said the season is expected to experience a normal onset with fair distribution over the areas expected to receive near to above average rainfall and poor distribution in the ASAL region.
“The predicted onsets, cessations and distribution of rainfall were derived from statistical analysis of past years which showed similar characteristics to the current year. The analogue years chosen are 2008, 2012 and 2021,” she said.
MET said rainfall was expected to continue from February in Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Narok, Bomet, Kericho, and parts of Kajiado counties and will continue into June.
Counties in highlands west of the Rift Valley, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Nandi, Laikipia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma and Busia were expected to have rains from the second to third week of March till June.
“Rainfall is expected in the third to fourth week of March in Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Embu, Meru, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nairobi, Nakuru, Laikipia and will continue into June," the March- April-May long rains season weather outlook reads.
"In Southeastern lowlands of Kajiado, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Taita Taveta, parts of Tana River, rainfall is expected in the third to fourth week of March till the second to third week of May,”
"In Coastal region of Lamu, Mombasa, Kwale, parts of Tana River and Kilifi, rainfall is expected from the fourth week of March to the first week of April and will continues till June."
In Turkana, Samburu, Wajir, Isiolo, Garissa, Mandera and Marsabit rainfall is expected from the fourth week of March to the first week of April and will continue till the third to fourth week of May.
MET said the enhanced rainfall is expected to be conducive for agricultural practices.
Farming communities in the agricultural counties are advised maximise on crop yield through appropriate farming and land-use management practices.
“Due to the prolonged drought that is being experienced in the ASAL region which has led to land degradation, the expected rainfall will lead to further soil erosion," MET said.
"The public is advised to put in place soil conservation measures. The expected enhanced rainfall in these counties, coupled with high temperatures, may lead to emergence of pests and diseases,"
"Relevant authorities are therefore advised to stock enough herbicides and pesticides and to enhance disease surveillance, control and prevention."
(Edited by Tabnacha O)