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The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has confirmed that tremors felt in various parts of Nairobi on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, were caused by an earthquake in the region.
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According to Kenya Met, the tremors occurred between 10:30 am and 10:40 am and were the result of shock waves from an earthquake that originated near the Kenya-Tanzania border.
“The tremors experienced in Nairobi this morning were due to a regional earthquake,” the agency stated.
Data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows the quake struck north of Lake Eyasi and west of Arusha, Tanzania. The tremors were felt in Tanzanian towns such as Longido, Arusha, Mto wa Mbu, and Namanga.
In Kenya, areas affected included Nairobi, Magadi, and Kajiado. The earthquake’s epicenter was located at Latitude 2.5739° South and Longitude 35.9829° East.
Details on the Earthquake’s Intensity
The quake had a depth of 10 kilometers, which is relatively shallow and often results in noticeable surface shaking. It registered a magnitude of 4.5, considered moderate, and had a maximum community-reported intensity of III—indicating light shaking and no damage. Reports were submitted from four distinct locations.
Geological Context: East African Rift
The USGS explained that the 4.5 magnitude quake aligns with tectonic activity along the East African Rift, where the Earth’s crust is slowly being pulled apart. This rift system is geologically significant as the only one on a continent-wide scale, offering insight into how rift zones evolve into oceanic ridges, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
The rifting began in northern East Africa and has played a role in the separation of the African (Nubia) and Arabian plates, notably around the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Turkana region on the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
Historically, the Kenya Rift experienced a significant 6.9 magnitude earthquake in 1928, though more recent seismic activity in the region has been limited to minor quakes and swarms.
Due to the active but diffuse faulting and volcanic activity, particularly near the Victoria-Somalia plate boundary, strong earthquakes in this sector remain relatively uncommon.
