Weatherman: Rift Valley, Lake Basin to continue receiving rains until March

Rift Valley and Lake Basin regions of the country are currently receiving rains, latest Kenya Meteorological Department outlook shows.

In the five-day forecast for February 25 to March 1, 2023, the weatherman says the rains are concentrated in the Rift Valley and Lake Basin regions during the period under review.

Rainfall in Bungoma, Busia, Siaya, Kakamega, Narok, Migori, Bomet, Kericho, Nandi, Nyamira, Kisii, and Vihiga will range from 10 to 50 mm.

"Rainfall expected over some parts of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, South Rift Valley and isolated areas of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley,"said Kenya Meteorological Department.

During the period, strong winds will be experienced in Marsabit and parts of Turkana counties.

The weatherman said the rest of the country will continue experiencing sunny and dry conditions.

In the months of January and February 2023, sunny and dry weather conditions prevailed over most parts of the country.

According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) continued drought situation caused by dry weather had left at least twenty (20) of the 23 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) counties in dire need of food and water.

The authority said the situation is the result of four consecutive seasons of failed rains..

According to NDMA's 2022 long rains food and nutritional security assessment report, at least 4.35 million people are in need of humanitarian food assitance.

Eleven (11) counties namely; Garissa, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kitui, Mandera, Marsabit, Laikipia,Samburu, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir, are said to be in Alarm drought phase, with nine (9) counties including Embu, Kilifi, Kwale, Makueni, Meru, Narok, Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi and Taita Taveta are in the Alert drought phase.

The remaining three (3) counties including Baringo, West Pokot and Lamu are said to be in Normal drought phase.