Rain

The meteorologist says Kenya may only get a few weeks of rain for the rest of the year, followed by a hot, dry January.

The forecast aligns with a new United Nations report that says Kenya is among countries likely to experience severe hunger early next year.

Meteorological Department Director David Gikungu blamed the delayed rains on a phenomenon called the negative Indian Ocean Dipole, which refers to the cold waters in the Indian Ocean east of Africa.

This causes dry weather in the region. “The delayed start is a result of the negative Indian Ocean Dipole that has been developing over the last few weeks,” he said.

Gikungu said rains will fall in most places next week or in the second week of November. Areas where rainfall will decrease include the Coast, northeastern Kenya, all of eastern Kenya and Mount Kenya.

Precipitation is expected to be below the long-term average in most areas from November to January, except for the northern parts of Turkana district, where near-average rainfall is expected.

“Temperatures will remain above average across the country,” he said.

Gikungu said La Nina, which has caused drought in east Africa in the past, is also partly responsible for the expected rainfall.

He warned that dry weather would affect crop production. “Forecasts indicate that weak La Nina conditions may develop from November and continue until early 2025,” Gikungu said.

“Both La Nina and a negative IOD generally result in below-average rainfall in Kenya.”

The Lake Victoria basin, mountainous areas in the west of the Rift Valley, the central and southern Rift Valley, as well as isolated areas in the northwest and northeast are likely to receive near-average to above-average rainfall. This region consists of the districts of Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Kericho, Bomet, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kisii, Nyamira, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya, Busia, Nakuru, Narok, Baringo. , parts of western Laikipia, Turkana and Samburu.