Kenyans have been advised to stay hydrated and limit outdoor activities in the afternoon as heat stress risks increase, the Kenya Meteorological Department has warned.
The climate outlook for January 2026 shows that high temperatures are expected during the month of January in most parts of the country, and this may lead to heat stress and heat related discomforts such as headaches and fatigue.
The Kenya Meteorological department advised Kenyans to stay hydrated appropriately and avoid working in the open especially in the afternoons.
The outlook for January 2026 indicates that most parts of the country will experience predominantly dry weather conditions. However, a few areas, including the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Central and Southern Rift Valley, the Highlands East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi County, the Southeastern Lowlands, and the Coastal strip, are likely to receive occasional rainfall.
The outlook for January – February- March 2026 further indicated that sunny and dry weather conditions are expected to dominate most parts of the country. However, a few areas in the western sector, particularly around the Lake Victoria Basin and Southern Rift Valley, as well as the Highlands East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi County, the Coastal region and the Southeastern Lowlands, may experience occasional rainy days during the forecast period.
“Temperatures are expected to be warmer than average over the whole country. Daytime (Maximum) temperatures over northeast and northwest are expected to be high and may occasionally rise beyond 370C,” the outlook indicated.
Kennedy Thiong’o from the Kenya Meteorological Department noted that the dry weather conditions expected during the month are likely to worsen the food security over the northern and parts of the eastern sectors of the country as availability of food, water and pasture for human as well as livestock use is expected to decline further. He added that malnutrition related diseases are likely to increase over the northern sector of the country.
He called on the national and local governments as well as humanitarian organisations to take necessary action to avert any loss of lives.
“Plans should therefore be put in place to provide food and food supplements to the most vulnerable communities,” he said.
Thiong’o said the expected dry conditions in January 2026 may also impact negatively on the major river catchment areas, and water availability for both human and livestock needs is expected to decline further especially over the ASAL areas.
He urged relevant authorities to carry out water trucking to identify the most vulnerable members of the community and provide them with water. “The public is advised to invest in water harvesting practices/techniques to harness the rainwater in areas where occasional rainfall is expected,” he said.
He also warned that human wildlife conflicts may escalate in the ASAL areas as wildlife migrate in search of water and pasture.
“Relevant authorities are advised to provide fodder and watering points to the wildlife to minimize such incidences. The dry conditions expected in January may result in reduced water levels in reservoirs, lakes, and ponds. It is also likely to lead to loss of wetlands and occurrence of wildfires in forests, parks and reserves. The public should therefore be alert while putting in place measures to conserve the environment,” said Thiong’o.
by AGATHA NGOTHO
