Heavy rainfall expected in Nairobi over next 24 hours – Met warns

The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in parts of Nairobi and surrounding counties over the next 24 hours.

In a rainfall update issued on Thursday afternoon, Met said that the rainfall will mainly affect areas within the highlands east of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi County, from 9 pm.

 “Moderate to heavy rainfall expected in parts of Nairobi and surrounding counties over the next 24 hours (09:00 today – 09:00 tomorrow),” stated Met.

“Showers and thunderstorms expected over a few places tonight in the highlands east of the Rift Valley, which include Nyeri County, Murang'a County, Kirinyaga County, Embu County, Meru County, Kiambu County, Tharaka-Nithi County, Laikipia County and Nyandarua County.”

According to the forecast, cloudy conditions are expected in the morning before giving way to sunny intervals, with a chance of light rain in high-ground areas.

“Showers and thunderstorms expected over a few places in the afternoon,” the forecast added.

Elsewhere across the country, the meteorological department said sunny intervals are expected in most regions, although rainfall will occur in parts of the highlands both east and west of the Rift Valley as well as the south-eastern lowlands.

In western Kenya, including counties in the Lake Victoria Basin such as Kisumu County, Kakamega County, Bungoma County and Siaya County, showers and thunderstorms are expected over a few places tonight and in the afternoon.

The forecast also warned of strong southeasterly winds exceeding 25 knots (12.5m/s) in parts of Turkana County and Marsabit County.

Coastal counties, including Mombasa County, Kwale County, Kilifi County, Lamu County and Tana River County, are expected to experience light showers tonight, with more rainfall likely in the morning and afternoon, especially along the south coast.