Tropical storm IALY weakened overnight but it remains a moderate tropical storm oscillating some 150km from the East African coast.
The weatherman, however, said moderate rain-stormy and windy conditions are expected along the coastal line with waves up to 4 meters on Kenyan and southern Somali coasts.
“Moderate rain, stormy and strong winds are anticipated along the western periphery of the system impacting the coastal areas of Kenya and neighbouring countries. Coastal regions should prepare for waves greater than three meters,” he said.
The winds, he said, will hit maximum speeds of 65 km/h and maximum gusts of 95 km/h.
Satellite images show that the moderate storm is travelling at speeds of between 63km/h and 89km/h heading northwards
The Kenya Meteorological Department said in its update Wednesday that a low-pressure system is present in the South-West Indian Ocean and is expected to dissipate near the equator.
“No other suspicious areas are present, and no formation of another low-pressure system is expected in the next five days,” the weatherman said.
According to the forecast, residual vortex resulting from the dissipation of the storm is unlikely to cross the equator.
In its 24-hour forecast, the Met department said the winds will be accompanied by light rains of up to 10mm along the coastal strip but neighbouring counties of Tana River, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta and Lamu will experience no rainfall on Thursday.
The department said in its update on Tuesday that Tropical IALY intensified to a tropical cyclone but was unlikely to make windfall offshore.
It said the storm was less than 300km from Mombasa but peripheral bands of the system would affect parts of the East African coast.
"Moderate rain, storms and windy conditions are forecast in the western periphery of the system along the coastal areas of Kenya and neighbouring countries," Kenya Meteorological Department director David Gikungu said.
Police said at least two people were killed and property was destroyed as strong winds from the storm hit the coast.
Among the dead was a pupil aged four. Four other pupils were admitted with various head injuries after strong winds destroyed the roof of an ECD school in Kaloleni.
