Residents of Nairobi woke up to a wet Monday and biting cold

Residents of Nairobi on Monday had to grapple with punishing morning drizzle – and toe-curling temperatures.

This comes just days after the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) released the weather forecast for the period between August 15 and 21, 2025.

In the forecast document – the weatherman predicted rains in Nairobi – and several other parts of the country.

The announcement made on August 15 did little to prepare residents for what would come on Monday— freezing cold and slow punishing rain.

“I have never felt this cold in Nairobi,” noted Alfred Kamau – a resident of the capital who works in Nairobi’s Westlands area which noses Limuru highlands.

Alfred says he spent most minutes of his Monday taking very hot tea and shivering – and even wished he had warmer clothes.

Vivian Kerubo told Wananchi Reporting that he had to brave the cold and the drizzle to get to the office in Ngong area.

She was rained on – and arrived in the office drenched. 

“There was a lot of traffic on the road as accidents tend to occur whenever it rains. I guess it’s because people are always in a rush to get to work or home,” said Vivian.

“I could not feel my hands at some point. I had to rub them against myself repeatedly to warm myself up a little,” says the mother of one who also battles asthma.

Residents traveling to work had to endure cold rides in buses that are poorly equipped to deal with this kid of buses.

“I think it’s time all our public buses were equipped with heating systems to provide warmth to passengers during colder weather,” says Farajah Ochieng.

 “Some buses don’t even have windows. The windows are either faulty or jammed due to overuse and carelessness,” says Farajah.

At home – families are already making adjustments to ensure comfort during this cold weather.

This includes buying heavy and warmer clothing. Others – especially those with little children –  are having to buy home heaters to keep their surrounding warm.

In June 2025 – the Kenyan weatherman warned that cases of asthma, pneumonia, flu and the common cold might spike in Nairobi County and Highlands East of the Rift Valley due to the regions expected rains then – and which would run for three months. 

Also, the Kenyan weatherman has in the past warned the public against using charcoal Jikos in poorly ventilated houses.

Kenyans are advised to keep warm during this period to avoid related health complications.