- The western half of Kenya and coastal strip will continue to have above average rainfall.
- A multiagency team will monitor the situation and take necessary actions to save lives and property, provide food, shelter, necessities.
The ongoing rains that wreaked havoc will slowly give way to dry weather in most of the country next month, meteorologists said.
The dry, warmer weather, is indicated until the end of July.
However, nearly the entire western, half of Kenya, especially all regions along the South Sudan and Uganda borders, will continue to have above-average rainfall. The coastal strip will also be wetter than usual between May and July.
The three-month forecast was issued by the Nairobi-based Igad Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (Icpac).
“Wetter than usual conditions expected over most parts of the northern sectors of the region, specifically in much of Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda, and western and coastal Kenya,” the forecast indicates.
Eastern and Northeastern Kenya will be generally dry.
However, counties along the Ethiopia and Somalia borders could still suffer flooding because these countries will continue to be unusually wet and the ground is saturated.
The forecast follows a two-week onslaught of rains leading to floods that have killed more than 70 Kenyans and displaced thousands.
Kenyans may also not experience the bitterly cold June-July weather, as temperatures will remain warmer.
“Warmer than usual temperatures indicated over the whole region. The highest probabilities are indicated over eastern Kenya,” the forecast indicates.
Icpac is a specialised institution of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) that provides climate services covering 11 countries in the region.
In response to the flooding, the government last week set up a multi-agency emergency response centre based at Nyayo House.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the team will monitor what is happening across the country.
He said the team will also initiate all necessary interventions to save the lives and properties of Kenyans.
"The multi-agency emergency response centre has been activated from 4 pm, this afternoon and shall be domiciled at Nyayo House," the DP said.
"Daily alerts will be issued to the people of Kenya to inform them of what is happening in areas where there is obvious danger and to appeal to them to cooperate with state agencies and other partners to save lives."
Gachagua said all internally displaced persons will be facilitated to find alternative settlements.
"In extreme cases, the National Youth Service will provide shelter to the most vulnerable members of our society," he said.
The DP called on Kenyans to cooperate with the emergency response team for their safety and that of their families.
He said affected families will provided with food and non-food items.
"Kenyans are requested to be careful and not to dare nature because it is dangerous to do so," Gachagua said.
He reaffirmed the government's commitment to channel all available resources to make sure Kenyans are protected from this disaster.
IGAD executive secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu commended Kenya's quick response to the flood crisis.
In a statement, Dr Gebeyehu lauded the efforts of the new response centre.
"These floods have led to significant loss of life, displacement, and extensive damage to property and infrastructure across 24 out of 47 counties in the past week," the statement reads in part.
Igad affirmed its commitment to collaborating with member states to address climate change through mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Dr Gebeyehu noted that the current forecasts highlight the persistent threat of heavy rainfall.
He insisted on the need for enhanced regional cooperation in early warning systems.
"Working together is our strongest asset in navigating the challenges we face and building a resilient future for generations to come,” he said.
IGAD called for extreme caution and vigilance throughout the region, emphasising the importance of adhering to safety measures and disaster preparedness protocols to stop more harm.
The authority said it will continue providing timely forecasts and advisory measures to safeguard lives and livelihoods, to ensure a safer and more secure region for all.