- The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued an alert covering more than 40 counties, including parts of Nairobi
- Rainfall exceeding 20 mm in 24 hours is expected alongside gusty winds surpassing 25 knots in several regions
- Residents have been warned that floodwaters can strike areas that have not experienced heavy rain directly
Nancy Odindo is a Current Affairs Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering general news. Odindo has over six years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2023.
The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has issued a weather alert warning residents across more than 40 counties to brace for moderate to heavy rainfall, strong winds, and the risk of flash flooding, beginning Sunday, 25 October.
Source: Getty Images
In a forecast shared on its official platform, KMD said rainfall totals are expected to exceed 20 mm within a 24-hour period across a wide stretch of the country.
Which counties will receive heavy rainfall?
Counties in the Coast, Northeastern, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, the Central Highlands, and parts of the Southeastern Lowlands are all within the affected zone, with sections of Nairobi also included.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
Among the counties listed as areas of concern are Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Kisii, Kwale, Mombasa, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Marsabit, Isiolo, Migori, Nyamira, Bungoma, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Bomet, Kiambu, Embu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Kericho, Laikipia, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, Narok, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, West Pokot, Baringo, and Kajiado.
Parts of Nairobi, Taita Taveta, Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni are also on the watch list.
The department further warned that the downpours would be accompanied by gusty winds, with southerly to southeasterly winds expected to exceed 25 knots (12.5 m/s) along coastal, eastern, and northern regions.
What Kenyans should do
KMD cautioned that floodwaters could affect areas far from where the heaviest rain falls, particularly low-lying and downstream locations. Residents were urged to remain on high alert for flash floods and reduced visibility during the forecast period.
The department also issued safety guidance on lightning, advising people to avoid sheltering beneath trees or near grilled windows during storms.
The 7-day cumulative rainfall forecast, running from 0900 hrs on October 25 to 0900 hrs on November 1, projects rainfall of between 1mm and 100mm across different parts of the country.
During the seven-day period, high temperatures are expected to persist in some parts of the country, particularly in the northern parts of the country.
Residents in high-temperature regions are advised to remain hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
The ocean wave heights exceeding two meters are expected on Sunday, October 25, 2026; hence, the need to exercise caution while engaging in any maritime activities.
Source: Twitter
The warning comes as large parts of Kenya await the short rains season, a period that typically brings relief but also heightened risk of infrastructure damage, displacement, and disruption to daily life in vulnerable communities.
Why did El Niño rains delay?
Previously, TUKO.co.ke highlighted facts about the delayed onset of Kenya’s October-December short rains.
The weatherman explained the delay and how tropical storm systems over the northern Indian Ocean disrupted the Intertropical Convergence Zone.
The storms can either bring rain or suppress it, depending on their path. Kenya Meteorological Service Director Hannah Kimani explained how the systems halted the weather pattern’s southward movement.
Source: TUKO.co.ke