By Ongaga Ongaga
The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rainfall advisory warning of intensified downpours across several parts of the country between April 22 and April 27, 2026.
In the advisory released on Tuesday, the department cautioned that rainfall is “likely to intensify, with accumulations exceeding 20mm in 24 hours” in affected areas, particularly along the Coast and parts of the Northeastern and Southeastern lowlands.
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The alert, classified as moderate to heavy severity, carries a “moderate probability of occurrence (33% to 66% chance)”, signaling significant but not certain impacts.
Counties expected to be affected include Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Garissa, and parts of Wajir, Mandera, Taita-Taveta, Kitui, and Makueni.
According to the advisory, “rainfall is expected to continue across several parts of the country,” with conditions worsening over the five-day period.
Beyond heavy rainfall, the department warned of additional weather hazards.
“The upcoming rainfall may be accompanied by gusty winds exceeding 25 knots (12.5 m/s),” the notice stated.
Coastal regions are also at risk, with “sea waves expected to reach heights of more than 2 meters along the Coast,” raising concerns for maritime safety.
Authorities are urging residents in affected regions to remain vigilant due to the heightened risk of floods and poor visibility.
“People in all the mentioned areas should remain vigilant for potential floods, flash floods, and poor visibility,” the advisory warned.
The department further cautioned that flooding may occur even in areas without heavy rainfall, noting that “flood waters may occur in areas where it has not rained heavily, particularly downstream.”
Residents have been advised to take precautionary measures, including avoiding driving or walking through moving water and staying clear of open fields during storms.
“To ensure safety, residents are advised to avoid driving through or walking in moving water… not to shelter under trees or near grilled windows to minimize exposure to lightning strikes,” the advisory stated.
Those engaged in maritime activities have also been urged to exercise caution due to rough sea conditions.
Government and Agencies Notified
The advisory has been circulated to key government offices and agencies, including the Presidency, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the National Disaster Operations Centre, the Kenya Red Cross, and county governments, among others.
The meteorological department indicated that updates will be issued promptly should there be any changes in the weather outlook.
“Updates will be provided promptly if there are any changes,” the notice concluded.
The advisory was issued by the Acting Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department.
