The Kenya Meteorological Department has dismissed alert that has been circulating on social media about a heat wave that will hit Kenya in the next few days. The message, which has been shared widely, claims that Kenya will experience elevated temperatures for a period of five days, which would have adverse health effects and even affect eye sight.
The message reads: “Due to the Equinox phenomenon that will affect (sic) in the next 5 days. Pls stay indoors especially from 12pm-3pm daily. The temperature will fluctuate till 40 degrees Celsius. This can easily cause dehydration and sun stroke. (Ps: this phenomena is due to the sun directly positioned above the equator line.).”
The WhatsApp message went on to advise Kenyans, especially those living in the coastal region, to drink up to three litres of water daily to prevent dehydration, monitor their blood pressure as frequently as possible and take cold shower.
But Kenya Meteorological Department’s Deputy Director Peter Ambenje has dismissed the warning. In a press release Mr Ambejje said:
“We are not expecting any heat waves because of the equinox. Those are just stories doing rounds on social media. There are places in Kenya where the heat gets to 40 degrees, but that is not out of the ordinary.”
“The equinox that people are talking about is simply the transition from the winter to spring, and this happens in March every year. It is more evident as you move further from the equator. The next one will take place in September,” he further clarified.
He termed the current high temperatures as usual fluctuations which shouldn’t be a cause for alarm.
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