Kenya Met Department issues raining advisory

The Kenya Meteorological Department has released its 24-hour weather forecast, outlining areas expected to receive rainfall between 9pm on Sunday, March 1, and 9pm on Monday, March 2.

Regions Expected to Receive Rainfall

Highlands West of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin and Rift Valley
Residents in Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma, Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia and Narok should prepare for showers and thunderstorms tonight.

Morning rains are expected in several areas, with showers and thunderstorms likely to intensify in the afternoon.

Highlands East of the Rift Valley
Counties including Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Kiambu, Tharaka Nithi, Laikipia, Nyandarua and Nairobi are forecast to experience showers and thunderstorms in several places tonight.

Cloudy conditions are expected in the morning, with rain in a few areas before giving way to sunny intervals. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are also anticipated.

Northwestern Region
Parts of Turkana and Samburu are likely to receive showers and thunderstorms tonight, particularly along the Kenya–Uganda border and within Samburu County. Light morning rains are expected in a few areas, followed by afternoon thunderstorms.

Northeastern Region
Marsabit, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir and Isiolo counties should expect showers and thunderstorms in select areas tonight. Morning rains are forecast in a few locations, with sunny breaks before additional afternoon showers.

Southeastern Lowlands
Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Taita Taveta and Kajiado counties are projected to receive showers and thunderstorms tonight. Morning rains are expected in some areas, with more widespread thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Coastal Region
Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River counties are likely to experience showers in a few areas tonight. Similar conditions are expected in the morning and afternoon, particularly along the South Coast.

Heavy Rainfall Advisory

In a separate advisory, the Kenya Meteorological Department warned of possible flooding in more than 20 counties as heavy rainfall persists.

In its update issued on Wednesday, February 25, the department indicated that rainfall exceeding 20 millimetres within 24 hours is expected to continue through Tuesday, March 3. The advisory, issued under Message Update No. Two of Advisory No. 01/2026, cited a moderate probability of occurrence ranging between 33% and 66%.

The forecast shows that while rainfall may ease from Sunday, March 1, in parts of the Southeastern lowlands, Coastal region and the Highlands East of the Rift Valley—including Nairobi—heavy downpours are expected to remain intense over the Lake Victoria Basin and the Highlands West of the Rift Valley until March 3.

Counties listed as high-risk areas include Migori, Nyamira, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Kisii, Kericho and Bomet.

Others are Kiambu, Embu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Laikipia, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Nairobi, Narok and Kajiado, as well as Makueni, Machakos, Taita Taveta, Kitui, Kwale, Mombasa, Tana River and Kilifi. Parts of Isiolo, Marsabit and Garissa counties are also affected.

Safety Advisory to the Public

The department has urged residents in affected regions to remain alert for possible floods and flash floods. It warned that water may accumulate in downstream areas even where heavy rainfall has not been directly experienced.

Poor visibility during intense rainfall is also expected, posing risks to motorists and air travel operations. Members of the public have been advised to avoid walking or driving through moving water, refrain from sheltering under trees or near grilled windows during storms, and steer clear of open fields due to lightning risks.