Heavy rains were reported in Nairobi and its surrounding areas on Friday, catching many Kenyans off guard. Some residents sought refuge under bridges, while others huddled beneath trees to escape the downpour. As pedestrians hurried to avoid getting drenched, some braved the rain to continue with their daily activities. However, the relentless rain made it challenging to use umbrellas, forcing many to fold them and dash for shelter.
The rain began to cause traffic congestion as it intensified across the city. Earlier, the Kenya Meteorological Department had issued a weather advisory, warning that the rains would persist over the next three days, with moderate to heavy downpours expected in various regions, including the Highlands east of the Rift Valley.
In its October forecast, the Meteorological Department indicated that much of Nairobi, the Central region, and parts of the Rift Valley would experience “near to above-average rainfall for the month,” signaling a potentially intense rainy season. “We expect moderate to heavy rainfall over several places in the Western, Rift Valley, Central, and Nairobi regions for the next three days starting today,” the department stated.
While Nairobi and the Central regions are predicted to be the hardest hit, the weather outlook also indicates increased rainfall for areas such as the Highlands west of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and parts of the Southeast, including Machakos and Kajiado. In contrast, the Coastal region and most Northeastern zones are expected to receive below-average rainfall, leading to a more subdued weather pattern in those areas.
Residents of Nairobi and neighboring counties are advised to prepare for the ongoing deluge, as the heavy rains may pose challenges to infrastructure, particularly roads and drainage systems. “The Highlands east of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi County) are likely to experience near to above-average rainfall for the month,” the Meteorological Department added.
