Heavy rains in Kenya to subside by end month

The Metereological department says the heavy rains being experienced across the country will subside by end of May (Photo: Courtesy)

Nairobi, Kenya: The ongoing heavy rains across the country are expected to reduce significantly end of this month.

According to forecast of the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), counties in the Lake Basin region and in highlands west of the Rift Valley are some of the places the long rains will stretch up to June.

Others include Central Rift Valley which comprises of Nakuru and its environs and counties along the coastal strip.

Residents of Central Highland areas which include Nairobi should therefore have a reprieve of the havoc of heavy rains as from next week.

The same is expected in Southern parts of Rift Valley (Kajiado and Narok counties), North Western counties (Turkana, Samburu, and West Pokot) and Northern counties like Marsabit.

South Eastern counties and North Eastern counties (Wajir, Garissa and Mandera) which have been generally dry the whole season should be receiving reduced rains from this week.

Yesterday a middle aged man who was killed by a collapsed wall in Murang'a town became the latest victim of the ongoing heavy rains.

National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) confirmed the fatality adding that the incident also damaged several vehicles parked nearby.
"I regret to learn that we lost a life and property again. Incidents of collapsed structures have become a common phenomenon with the heavy rains," said NDMU Deputy Director Pius Masai.

Masai noted blockage of drainage water passages was a major reason for such incidences in the central business district.

According to a seven day forecast by KMD from May 17, Lake Basin regions, Highlands west of Rift Valley, Central and South Rift Valley as well as Central Highlands that include Nairobi will be experiencing rainfall almost on a 24 hour period.

Some areas will receive rain fall as high as 50 millimetres. The weatherman has also noted that so far Kakamega is the region that has received highest rainfall this May of over 120 millimetres.

On May 11, the bridge connecting Kisumu highway -Muhoroni - Londian collapsed at Muhoroni following heavy downpour.

Kenya Red Cross had also reported a day earlier that over 20 families had been affected by floods following heavy rains in Limuru.
"Heavy rains have been received in most parts of Baringo County. In Salabani area, the main road has been cut off & approximately 65 households affected," said the humanitarian body.