Rains expected in parts of Kenya amid cool and cloudy conditions

Rainfall is expected in several parts of Kenya on Tuesday as the country continues to experience a mix of wet, cool and cloudy weather, the latest forecast from the Kenya Meteorological Department shows.

The weather department said showers are likely over the Lake Victoria Basin, the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley and the Coastal region.

Intermittent cool and cloudy conditions are also expected across the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Southeastern Lowlands, the Rift Valley and Northeastern Kenya.

While many areas are expected to remain cool during the day, temperatures will vary significantly across the country.

Maximum daytime average temperatures of more than 30 degrees Celsius are forecast in parts of the Coast as well as Northeastern and Northwestern Kenya. Night-time temperatures, however, are expected to fall sharply in some regions.

The department forecasts minimum temperatures of below 10 degrees Celsius in a few areas of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, the Central Rift Valley and areas around Mount Kilimanjaro.

In its seven-day forecast, the Kenya Meteorological Department said cumulative rainfall of between five and 10 millimetres is expected in several counties, including Narok, Nyeri, Nakuru, Kakamega, Bungoma and parts of Trans Nzoia.

Similar rainfall amounts are also forecast for parts of the Coast, including Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River counties during the review period.

The latest weather outlook comes amid growing concern over the possible impact of a developing El Niño weather pattern later this year.

A joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) has identified Kenya among 22 countries globally that could be significantly affected by the phenomenon, which is expected to strengthen in the coming months.

"Strong El Niño conditions are developing, threatening food security, agriculture and livelihoods across multiple regions into 2027," the report says.

According to the report, the weather pattern is expected to increase the likelihood of floods and storms across the Horn of Africa and parts of Asia while bringing significantly drier conditions to Southern Africa, Central America, parts of Asia, the Pacific and sections of Eastern Africa.

"By contrast, between October and December, in the bimodal areas of the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, Kenya, Uganda and eastern Ethiopia, El Niño is linked to an increased risk of above-average rainfall and flooding," the report states.

It adds that El Niño is expected to arrive between late 2026 and early 2027.

Among the key risks highlighted for Eastern Africa are crop losses, damage to agricultural infrastructure, livestock disease outbreaks, reduced milk production, animal deaths, as well as population displacement and disruption of livelihoods.