There is understandable excitement after the Kenya Meteorological department announced that the much-anticipated long rains would commence at the weekend in some parts of the country. Farmers are heaving a sigh of relief that they can finally plant their annual crops which would not only reduce hunger but also cut down on foot-inspired inflation currently choking millions of households.
The March-May rainy season constitutes an important rainfall season in Kenya more so in the Western, Rift Valley and Central regions – considered Kenya’s breadbasket – as most farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture. Prolonged drought has caused untold suffering among many parts of Kenya, more so in the semi-arid regions.
The Meteorological department’s update on the March-May 2023 long rains season, released on Friday 10th March 2023, has listed places that will get rains and those that may continue experiencing drought.
According to the report, light to moderate rainfall is expected in Siaya, Kisumu, Homa bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Laikipia, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega and Bungoma starting the weekend of 1th March. And indeed, a good number of areas in Western, Nyanza and Rift Valley recorded some rains.
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The rainfall is expected to increase in intensity and spread to other areas from Monday and farmers in these areas have been advised to liaise with the Ministry of Agriculture for advise on the appropriate seeds to plant as well as good agricultural practices to employ to maximize their yields.
The rains are likely to later spread to Nairobi, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu and Tharaka Nithi and it is expected to increase in intensity and spread to other areas towards the end of the third week of March.
Arid areas that will get rains
According to the forecast, a few areas in the North Eastern part of the country comprising Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Marsabit will also receive light rainfall this weekend. The intensity is likely to increase from Wednesday but the onset of rains in these areas is undefined as the light rainfall is likely to be followed by long dry spells.
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Those likely to remain dry
The weatherman predicts that Kajiado, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos and Taita Taveta counties are likely to remain generally dry but a few areas might occasionally receive some light rainfall from Tuesday which will spread to several other areas during the fourth week of March, marking the onset of the seasonal rainfall.
Coast to remain sunny
Mombasa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi and Kwale are expected to remain generally sunny for the remaining part of March though occasional rainfall will be experienced from the fourth week of March. The onset of the seasonal rainfall is expected during the first and the second week of April in the South Coast and the second and third week in the North Coast.
“The expected rainfall is as a result of the impact of the cyclone Freddy which developed off the North Australian Coast and became a named storm on 6th February,” reads the update.
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