Weatherman: Expect more rains until next week

Floods in Nairobi CBD after a heavy rainfall on Friday, January 5. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The Kenya Meteorological Department has predicted an increase in rainfall in several parts of the country over the next week.

In a weekly forecast for January 6 to January 12, the weatherman noted that rain is expected in several parts including the southern region while the northern region continues to remain dry.

“Expect continued rainfall in the southern half of the country, while North-Eastern and North-Western Kenya stay generally dry. Isolated storms may occur over South Rift Valley and South-eastern lowlands,” Kenya MET said.

In an earlier prediction this week, MET had predicted more rainfall on the Southern-half region and isolated rains in Central Highlands, Western Kenya, South-eastern lowlands, South Rift Valley, and the Coast.

This was witnessed yesterday, Friday, January 5 when rains pounded several parts of the country, causing havoc and flash floods, including the Nairobi Metropolitan.

Pedestrians and motorists in Nairobi CBD were left stranded as the roads were rendered impassable.

Motorists and Passangers stranded after a heavy downpour in Nairobi CBD. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Further, in a statement by the County’s Disaster Management team, it emerged that a child was swept away in Kibera and property destroyed in others parts of the county.

"Aside from losses and damage to property due to the heavy rainfall experienced, a child was swept away last evening in the Mashimoni area in Kibera. A team is following up on this incident,” Nairobi County officials said.

According to the team, some immediate interventions are already ongoing in some areas that were the hardest hit, such as Githogoro and Mukuru, as efforts to mobilize and deploy additional resources are being put in place.

Other counties that experienced heavy rains include Meru, Narok and others.