Heavy rainfall expected from Thursday as Met confirms start of rainy season

The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rainfall across several parts of the country beginning Thursday, October 23, confirming the onset of the October-November-December short rains season.

In a statement on Wednesday, the weatherman said rainfall currently being experienced in parts of the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, and Highlands West of the Rift Valley is expected to intensify within 24 hours and spread to the Highlands East of the Rift, including Nairobi, as well as the South-Eastern Lowlands.

According to the advisory, the heavy rainfall will persist over the coming days and extend to parts of the North-Eastern region from next week, marking the likely beginning of the short rains over most areas.

“Rainfall currently affecting parts of the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley and Highlands West of the Rift Valley is expected to intensify and spread to other regions,” the Met Department stated.

"The heavy rainfall is expected to continue and extend to parts of the Northeast from Thursday, 30th October 2025. This is likely to mark the onset of the Short Rains Season (OND) 2025 over several parts of the country, except over parts of the Southeastern lowlands and the coastal region, as indicated in the OND 2025 Forecast."

Counties in the affected regions include Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Narok, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot.

Others are Turkana, Isiolo, Samburu, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Nairobi and parts of Kajiado, Machakos and Makueni.

Residents in the affected counties have been urged to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures against potential floods and landslides, especially in flood-prone and steep areas.

Motorists and pedestrians have also been cautioned to avoid walking or driving through moving water due to the risk of flooding and to keep off open fields and trees during thunderstorms.

The advisory comes as several regions, including Kisumu, Eldoret, and Kericho, have already reported heavy downpours in recent days, signalling the seasonal shift.