The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has warned Kenyans to prepare for heavy rainfall expected to affect 13 counties between December 27 and 30. In a statement released on Friday, December 26, the ministry said the southeastern lowlands will receive intense rains at the start of the period before the showers gradually ease toward the end of December.
The counties included in the alert are Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Nairobi, Kericho, Bomet, the southern parts of Kitui, Taita-Taveta, and Kwale.
"Heavy rainfall of more than 20mm in 24 hours is expected in parts of the Southeastern lowlands on 27th December 2025. It is projected to reduce in intensity on 30th December 2025," the ministry stated.
The advisory noted that the rainfall is likely to strengthen and expand to other regions over the following two days.
By December 28 and 29, the showers are expected to intensify to more than 30mm in 24 hours, affecting parts of the Highlands west and east of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and southern areas of the Coastal region.
Residents in the affected counties have been urged to take precautions and closely follow official updates. "Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to be on the lookout for potential floods. Updates will be provided promptly if there are any changes," the statement added.
This alert comes shortly after the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) forecasted rainfall across six regions during the Christmas period.
In a December 24 forecast, KMD predicted showers over the Highlands east and west of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley, and the Lake Victoria Basin, with rains also expected along the Coastal and southeastern lowlands.
"Rains over mostly the southern half of the country, with rainfall expected to continue over a few areas of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, the Coast, and the South-eastern lowlands," the weather agency said.
The department further explained that areas west of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the Rift Valley would experience morning rains in some areas, with afternoon and night showers over isolated locations.
In the highlands east of the Rift Valley, mornings are expected to be cloudy with light rains, followed by sunny intervals. Showers are likely to occur in a few places during afternoons and evenings.
KMD also predicted daytime temperatures above 30°C in the Coast, North-eastern, and North-western Kenya, as well as parts of the southeastern lowlands, Rift Valley, and Western Kenya.
