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The Kenya Meteorological Department has cautioned that heavy rains will persist across various parts of the country, with a new 24-hour forecast indicating widespread downpours between March 20 and 21, 2026.
In an update released on March 20, the agency projected moderate to heavy rainfall in regions including the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley and Highlands West, Central Kenya—covering Nairobi—as well as parts of southeastern Kenya and the Coast, where rainfall could be particularly intense in some areas.
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The department warned that the conditions may lead to flooding, flash floods, slippery roads, and reduced visibility, urging residents to stay alert as river levels continue to rise.
Among the major risks highlighted are flooding, poor visibility, and hazardous road conditions. The public has been advised to avoid flooded roads and refrain from walking or driving through moving water, especially in low-lying and flood-prone zones.
This latest alert follows an earlier advisory issued on March 18, which indicated that rainfall would intensify across the country, with amounts exceeding 20mm within 24 hours between March 19 and March 24.
According to the department, the rains are likely to peak between March 20 and 23 before easing slightly by March 24, although showers are expected to continue in many areas.
Regions expected to be affected include the Lake Victoria Basin, the Highlands on both sides of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley itself, and parts of Nairobi, alongside counties such as Turkana, Samburu, Migori, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kiambu, Meru, and Mombasa.
Residents in these areas have been urged to take precautionary measures, as the likelihood of disasters remains high. The department also noted that flooding could occur even in areas that have not received heavy rainfall, particularly in downstream locations.
Additional risks flagged include lightning strikes and landslides. People have been advised not to seek shelter under trees or near grilled windows during storms, while those living in landslide-prone zones—especially along the slopes of the Aberdare ranges and Mt. Kenya—should remain cautious.
The rainfall has been classified as moderate to heavy, with a 33% to 66% probability, and the advisory remains in effect until March 24 at 9 a.m.
The warning comes as the country continues to grapple with flood-related emergencies, with authorities confirming that at least 71 people have died. The National Police Service is leading ongoing search and rescue efforts in the affected regions as heavy rains persist.
