Global Affairs
‘Supersized’ El Niño could fuel extreme weather into 2027
WMO said the weather phenomenon, which has been intensifying since August, could become the strongest on record by December and continue into early 2027.
El Niño
Top Stories
Heavy rains, strong winds to hit dozens of Counties, Kenya Met warns
The rainfall is expected to be accompanied by gusty winds, with the heaviest downpours anticipated between October 26 and 28 before rainfall intensity begins to decrease towards the end of the month
News
Kenya watches El Niño threat as global agency warns of unprecedented strength
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the expected intensity of the weather phenomenon exceeds the limits of monitoring charts that have been used for the past four decades.
Top Stories
Nairobi Dam emergency spillway opens ahead of expected El Niño rains
In a media statement dated October 19, 2026, the commission said water was already flowing through the spillway following the planned intervention, which is intended to improve the dam’s preparedness for heavy rainfall and help mitigate flood risks
Top Stories
MPs urge urgent action on Lake Nakuru flooding, pollution
The MPs, drawn from the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining, raised concerns during a site inspection at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters in Lake Nakuru National Park on Saturday.
Global Affairs
El Niño could be one of the strongest on record, WMO warns
In its latest seasonal climate update released on Thursday, the agency said the sea-surface temperature anomaly in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific could reach about 3.7°C above normal between October and December. This would surpass the previous record of 2.6°C recorded between November 2015 and January 2016.
News
PS Muthoni tells Kenyans to secure water, food ahead of El Niño rains
According to the PS, parents should also take extra care to keep children away from flooded sections, warning that floodwater can pose serious dangers even when it does not appear threatening.
News
Rain expected in 32 counties from September 29 to October 5
The department's latest outlook comes as meteorologists assess the role of ocean temperatures in determining the distribution and intensity of rainfall expected during the October-December period.
News
KHRC warns El Niño rains could worsen human rights situation
In a statement on Monday, KHRC demanded that the government put human rights at the centre of preparations and interventions for the El Niño rains expected between late September and December this year.
Health and Wellness
Health Ministry warns of food-borne illness risks as Kenya braces for El Niño
In a food safety advisory issued on Monday, the ministry said experience from previous El Niño seasons showed that heavy rains, flooding and high humidity could lead to a sharp rise in illnesses such as cholera, typhoid and aflatoxin poisoning.
Central
Red Cross urges Kirinyaga, Embu residents to prepare for El Niño
The Kenya Red Cross Society says heavy rains could increase the risk of flooding, landslides and other weather-related disasters in the region.
Coast
No sewer system: Senate warns Malindi of looming health crisis
As El Niño rains approach, a Senate committee has warned that Malindi’s lack of a sewer system and weak drainage could heighten sanitation-related health risks, and has ordered Kilifi County to urgently address sewerage and drainage infrastructure.
Global Affairs
IMF: Review food support plans now as strong El Niño could lift food prices
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in its September 10, 2026 assessment that there is a greater than 90 per cent chance of a very strong El Niño during the Northern Hemisphere autumn and winter of 2026-27
Nairobi
Sakaja orders 14-day push to fix Nairobi flood hotspots ahead of El Niño rains
The Governor issued the directive on Thursday during a meeting at Barabara Plaza in Nairobi attended by KURA Director-General Eng. Silas Kinoti, county and KURA engineers and contractors.
Coast
Coast residents warned of rough seas, strong winds ahead of October rains
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, the authority urged the public to “avoid venturing into sea during periods of adverse weather and rough sea conditions”.
Nairobi
Nairobi deploys more machines as Sakaja intensifies heavy-rain preparations
The preparedness programme is being coordinated by Governor Sakaja and brings together the Nairobi County Government, national agencies and humanitarian organisations involved in roads, drainage and emergency response.
Top Stories
Kindiki tells Kenyans to obey evacuation orders as El Niño rains near
The Deputy President specifically cautioned the public against entering flooded areas or going near rivers when movement restrictions are issued.
Global Affairs
Typhoon Dujuan leaves two dead as Japan orders mass evacuations
The Japan Meteorological Agency had issued a warning of an “imminent threat to life” as Dujuan approached, although some of the alerts were later reduced as the storm moved away from the worst-hit areas.
News
State urges early action as El Niño rains near
In a public service advisory issued ahead of the October-November-December (OND) rains, the government through the Office of the Government Spokesperson and the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy said the country should not wait for the weather to turn into a disaster before taking action.
2027 Election
Kindiki assures world of constitutional, credible 2027 elections
The Deputy President gave the assurance on Wednesday during the 15th Development Partnership Forum held at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi, where he co-chaired the meeting with United Nations Resident Coordinator Garry Conille and Germany's Ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth.
News
El Niño threatens Kenya food recovery as up to 2.49m may need aid by March 2027
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) estimates that between 2 million and 2.49 million people will need urgent food assistance in March 2027. This would mark a decline from the 3.5 million to 3.99 million people projected to require assistance in September 2026.
Health and Wellness
Health Ministry sounds alarm over disease risk as El Niño rains near
The ministry has urged Kenyans to follow official health and weather advisories and disregard rumours and misinformation as El Nino preparations intensify ahead of the expected rains
News
CS Muga warns El Niño Rains will not end Kenya’s drought cycle
The Water CS said the government had to acknowledge Kenya’s vulnerability to alternating periods of heavy rainfall and drought rather than assume that a season of good rains would solve the country’s water problems.
Nairobi
Sakaja steps up Nairobi flood preparations ahead of El Niño rains
The Monday meeting brought together the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), National Disaster Management teams and other partners involved in flood preparedness and response.
News
Weatherman predicts rainfall over several counties in 7-day forecast
According to the seven-day forecast issued on Monday, September 14, rainfall is expected in parts of Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale and Laikipia.
Coast
Governor Nassir gives Mombasa builders 48 hours to halt on-site mixing as El Niño rains loom
The Governor said the restriction was also aimed at preventing construction materials from being left in places where they could interfere with roads and drainage as rainfall increases.
News
Surveyors warn property owners to prepare for El Niño rains
The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) want property managers to carry out inspections and repairs before the rains intensify, instead of waiting for flooding or structural damage to occur.
News
Kenya steps up El Niño preparations ahead of October rains
The Kenya Meteorological Service Authority says its technical teams are closely tracking changes in weather and climate conditions and will continue issuing forecasts, advisories and updates to national and county governments, humanitarian and development organisations, the media and the public.
Nairobi
Nairobi ranks 10th globally as Sakaja ramps up El Niño preparations
Chicago was ranked the world’s most climate-resilient city, followed by Addis Ababa, Melbourne, Barcelona, Ankara, Buenos Aires, Paris, Istanbul, Bogotá and Nairobi.
Global Affairs
August breaks global heat Record as El Niño gains strength
The latest record came after an exceptionally hot summer that brought severe heatwaves and wildfires across several parts of the world. Western Europe and the contiguous United States both experienced their hottest summers ever recorded.