The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has issued a five-day weather forecast covering Saturday, June 20, to Wednesday, June 24, warning of biting cold in the highlands and sustained rainfall along the coast, even as most of the country braces for a predominantly dry spell.
The forecast, released Friday, paints a divided weather picture — one where millions of Kenyans in the highlands are wrapping up against plunging temperatures while coastal residents contend with frequent, heavy showers.
Kenya Met has warned that night temperatures in highland counties including Nyeri, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru and Nairobi could drop to as low as 4°C, with Monday expected to be the coldest night of the period. Daytime temperatures in the region are forecast to range between 25°C and 28°C, offering little relief from the persistent chill.
“Most parts of the country are likely to be generally dry. Rainfall is mainly expected over the Coast and Highlands West of the Rift Valley. Intermittent cool and cloudy conditions are expected in some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Southeastern Lowlands, the Rift Valley and Northeastern Kenya,” the department stated.
For Nairobi residents, overcast mornings and foggy conditions are expected through the week, with light rains forecast to return from Tuesday, extending into Wednesday. Saturday will bring some morning showers before conditions improve into sunny intervals through Sunday and Monday.
Along the Coast, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale and the Tana Delta will bear the heaviest rainfall burden — with showers expected during both mornings and afternoons throughout the forecast window. Despite the wet conditions, coastal temperatures will remain warm, with daytime highs between 29°C and 31°C and nights ranging from 21°C to 23°C.
In Western Kenya, counties within the Lake Victoria Basin and parts of the Rift Valley — including Kisumu, Siaya, Nakuru, Kericho, Kakamega and Uasin Gishu — should anticipate afternoon and evening showers on several days, with rainfall probability increasing markedly on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Northeastern counties including Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo will receive only isolated showers despite recording some of the country’s highest temperatures, with daytime highs reaching between 36°C and 37°C.
Agricultural authorities are urging farmers — particularly in the Rift Valley and central highlands — to time fertiliser top-dressing carefully, as the combination of cold and intermittent rains risks nutrient leaching and slowed crop growth. Tea farmers in high-altitude zones have been advised to monitor for frost damage overnight.
Public health officials are separately cautioning on rising risks of respiratory infections, particularly pneumonia among children and the elderly, as the cold intensifies.
Kenya Met has urged all Kenyans to monitor daily, county-specific weather updates, noting that rapid shifts in wind patterns could significantly alter rainfall projections within hours.
