This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
On Tuesday night, a rare windstorm swept through various parts of Kenya, leaving many households and premises in darkness.
The storm, which was described as a downburst by the Kenya Meteorological Department, brought strong winds and dust storms that caused traffic disruptions in Nairobi due to poor visibility.
According to David Koros, the principal at the Kenya Meteorological Department, the change in weather was anticipated, especially in Eastern, Rift Valley, Central Kenya, and Nairobi, and was brought about by the buildup of high temperatures.
"What some parts of the country experienced was what we call a downburst which is a strong ground-level wind system that emanates from a point source above and blows radially, that is, in straight lines in all directions from the point of contact at ground level and that is what we have seen," said Mr Koros.
Samwel Mwangi, the deputy director at the Kenya Meteorological Department, described the strong winds and sandstorms as a precursor to the onset of short rains expected this month.
"We are having a bit of stormy weather all over. It is coming in with a bit of rains here and there. There is strong winds and where it has not rained for a while, we have seen dust being carried around by the strong winds. It is the precursor of the short rains that could be starting anytime this month so this could be sign that the rains are almost setting in," added Mr Mwangi.
The deputy director urged Kenyans to take precautions as the strong winds are known for blowing away things like roofs, billboards, and even rocks.
"Things being blown away could fall on people and that presents danger. For motorists, visibility could be an issue as the dust being blown could interfere with how far one can be able to see," he said.
Power outages were reported across several parts of Nairobi, following the heavy winds, and there were also reports of trees falling over in various areas.
