The Kenya Meteorological Department has released its weekly rainfall forecast for the period October 20 to 26, 2026, warning of widespread rains and isolated storms across a large portion of the country. Kenya Met predicted rainfall in 45 counties until October 26. Photo: Donwilson Odhiambo. Source: Getty Images According to the department, rainfall is anticipated in 45 counties, spanning regions from the coast to the north, the Rift Valley, western Kenya, and the central highlands. Counties in the forecast include Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Garissa, Turkana, Lamu, and Mandera, among many others. “Rainfall is expected in parts of Meru, Embu, Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Garissa, Homa Bay, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Migori, Mombasa, Murang’a, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga, Wajir and West Pokot Counties,” Kenya Met predicted. Counties on storm alert Beyond general rainfall, the meteorological department flagged a heightened risk of isolated storms in specific counties. Parts of Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Machakos, Laikipia, Samburu, Mandera, Wajir, and Marsabit could experience severe weather events during the forecast period.
The department noted that rainfall distribution may vary significantly across the affected counties, meaning some areas could receive considerably more precipitation than others within the same county. Temperature extremes forecast The forecast also outlined contrasting temperature conditions across the country. Daytime maximum average temperatures of more than 35°C are expected in parts of Garissa, Wajir, Tana River, Isiolo, Kilifi, Marsabit, Samburu, and Turkana Counties, reflecting the intense heat typical of arid and semi-arid regions. At the opposite end of the spectrum, night-time minimum average temperatures are forecast to drop below 10°C in parts of Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nakuru, and Kajiado Counties, conditions common in the cooler highland zones during the October to December long rains season. Residents in the affected counties are advised to stay updated on local weather conditions as rainfall distribution may shift during the forecast window. Ruto advises farmers after failed El Niño rains In other news, President William Ruto called for Kenyan farmers to move away from rain-fed agriculture and adopt irrigation. The appeal came as forecasts of El Niño rains shifted repeatedly, while authorities warned that flooding could put about 1.5 million people across all 47 counties at risk. The president said farmers could not keep waiting for rains whose arrival forecasts had repeatedly been postponed.
