Met names counties with rains this week

Flash floods in Sabaki near Mlolongo and Syokimau following heavy Thursday night rains caused a seasonal river to overflow, affecting nearby residential and hotel areas./FILE

Some parts of Kenya will continue to receive light showers this week even as hot weather persists in the north and coastal areas, the weatherman has said.

In the latest seven-day forecast, the Kenya Meteorological Department said rainfall will mainly affect the highlands, Lake Victoria Basin, the South Rift and the coast.

“Rainfall is expected to continue in the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the South Rift Valley, the Coast and some parts of the Northeastern Kenya.”

“Heavy rainfall events may occur in some parts of the Coast.”

The weatherman said Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Busia, Nakuru, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori counties should expect cloudy mornings and showers later in the day.

“Sunny intervals are expected in the mornings, though occasional rains may occur over few places. Afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms are likely to occur over few places,” Met director Edward Muriuki said.

Residents of Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Murang’a, Embu, Meru and neighbouring countries residents should also prepare for light rains, especially in the mornings and evenings.

“Mornings are likely to be cloudy, with occasional rains over few places, giving way to sunny intervals,” Muriuki said.

“Occasional afternoon and night showers are expected over few places.”

The forecast shows Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo will remain largely sunny and hot during the day. However, some areas may receive rain later in the week.

“Sunny intervals are expected during the day, with partly cloudy conditions at night.”

“However, morning rains as well as afternoon and night showers may occur over few places during the second half of the forecast period.”

In Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale and Lamu, residents have been warned to expect showers in several places. This came weeks after heavy rains caused flooding in some coastal towns.

“Occasional morning, afternoon and night showers are expected over few places, occasionally spreading to several places.”

The department also warned that temperatures will remain very high in parts of northern Kenya.

Mandera, Garissa and Wajir are expected to record temperatures of between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius during the week.

Lodwar in Turkana is also expected to hit 37 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, cold nights are expected in some highland areas. Nyahururu is forecast to record temperatures as low as eight degrees Celsius while Eldoret may drop to 10 degrees Celsius.

The department said rainfall had reduced in many parts of the country compared to the previous week. Still, Nairobi recorded the highest rainfall during the review period.

“The highest seven-day rainfall total (61.5 mm) was recorded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Meteorological Station in Nairobi County." “Comparing the 11th to 17th and the 18th to 24th May 2026 review periods, it is noted that rainfall amounts significantly decreased in most parts of the country."

The Meteorological Department has advised Kenyans to continue following daily weather updates because conditions may change quickly in some areas.

 INSTANT ANALYSIS

The latest weather forecast reflects Kenya’s increasingly unpredictable climate patterns, with some regions experiencing continued rainfall while others endure intense heat. The contrast between flooding risks at the Coast and soaring temperatures in northern counties highlights the growing strain extreme weather is placing on communities, agriculture and infrastructure. Nairobi’s unexpectedly high rainfall totals also show how urban centres remain vulnerable to sudden weather shifts despite an overall reduction in rainfall nationally. The advisory from the Meteorological Department signals concern over rapidly changing conditions, especially as the country transitions between rainy and dry seasons, a period that often disrupts transport, farming and daily economic activities.