The Kenya Meteorological Service (KMS) confirmed the onset of the long rains season but noted it has not yet intensified, with sporadic hailstorms reported in Ngong’, Kajiado County, and parts of Western Kenya on Sunday.
Deputy Director Samuel Mwangi urged farmers to continue field preparation for planting, emphasizing the need for readiness as afternoon showers are anticipated. The Five Days forecast predicts Nairobi and central highland counties like Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, and Nyeri to experience temperatures ranging from 8°C to 30°C.
Acting Director Stella Aura previously highlighted uneven rainfall distribution for March-May 2019, with favorable conditions in western Kenya and the central Rift Valley but poor prospects in eastern arid regions. Farmers in Western, Nyanza, and Rift Valley areas were advised to leverage the weather for agriculture.
Aura warned of declining rainfall by May 2019, except in western, central Rift Valley, and central Kenya regions. She noted near-normal to above-normal rains in April 2019 across western Kenya, central Rift Valley, and Nairobi, while northwestern Kenya faces reduced precipitation.
Communities in areas expected to receive below-average rainfall were directed to consult agricultural experts for drought-resistant crop options.
