- Farmers urged not to put their lands under crops until after the commencement of the main rainy season
- Muiruri said the high temperatures being experienced during the day will continue until the onset of the long rains next month
Image: ENOS TECHE
The ongoing rains do not signal the onset of the long rains, Nyeri county director of Meteorological Services John Muiruri has said.
The clarification comes in the wake of heavy rains in several parts of the country (including Nyeri) in the past two weeks.
The downpour, which seems to have come earlier than expected, has left many farmers stranded.
Muiruri says the rains are expected to cease within four days.
He has advised farmers not to put their lands under crops until after the commencement of the main rainy season.
“What we have been experiencing following the heavy rains that have been pounding Nyeri and other parts of the country will be short-lived. We expect these rains to stop within three to four days after which we shall continue to experience sunny and hot weather conditions," Muiruri said.
"We thus wish to advise farmers to refrain from planting until mid-March.”
In its weekly weather forecast covering February 27 to March 4, the meteorological department said rains are expected in Rift Valley, Lake Victoria basin, Southeastern lowlands and Northwestern Kenya.
Day time temperatures of more than 30 degrees celsius will be experienced in Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo, Garissa, Tana River and Lamu.
Others are Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Kajiado, Makueni, Kitui, Laikipia, Baringo, West Pokot, Bungoma, Kakamega and Busia.
Parts of Nyeri, Laikipia and Murang’a counties are expected to continue experiencing low average nighttime temperatures of less than 10 degrees celsius.
Day time temperatures in Nyeri county are expected to average between 22 degrees celsius and 30 degrees celsius.
Muiruri said the high temperatures being experienced during the day will continue until the onset of the long rains next month.
“We are yet to release the seasonal focus for the long rains but we expect the long rains around March. The high temperatures recorded this month are as a result of the dry weather condition since the beginning of the year," he said.
"They are however expected to subside as we approach the March –May long rains season."
In its latest report released this month, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s Climate Prediction and Applications Centre predicts that the long rains will be above-average.
IGAD says countries that will benefit from the rains include, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.
The highest probabilities are expected in Central and Western Kenya and in the border areas between Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
"The predicted above-average rainfall is a significant turnaround from the recent dry spells that have caused immense hardship," said ICPAC director Guleid Artan.
"While the food security situation may improve with wetter than usual conditions, it is important to remember the multiple challenges facing the region, including the historic drought in 2020-2022, conflicts in various parts of the region such as Sudan and El Nino-induced floods at the end of 2023." he said.
"This has weakened the coping capacity of communities, leaving them highly vulnerable to food insecurity. The likelihood of flooding during the 2024 May to March season in parts of the region could therefore lead to a deterioration of food security in localised areas," Artan said.