Kenyans in parts of the country woke up to flooded roads as their regions recorded heavy overnight rains.
Commuters in the capital Nairobi braced heavy early morning rains which resulted to traffic snarl-ups that were worsened by traffic interruptions occasioned by the royal visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla who are in the country for a four-day State visit.
Rainfall persisted across several regions Tuesday morning with isolated storms in counties like Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Isiolo, Meru, and Marsabit.
According to the weatherman, there was a noticeable increase in rainfall in northern Kenya over the last one week in the region as compared to the previous week.
“When comparing the weeks of 16-22 Oct and 23-29 Oct, there was a noticeable increase in rainfall in Northern Eastern,” noted the report from the Kenya meteorological department.
Areas that recorded high amounts of rainfall over the past week include Kaanyaga Primary School Rainfall Station in Tharaka Nithi County which recorded 87.6 mm on 25 Oct, Kianamu Rainfall Station in Embu with 82.8 mm of rainfall on 25 Oct and Kasafari Rainfall Station in Embu which recorded 80.0mm of rainfall on 25 Oct 2023.
According to the meteorological department, rainfall is expected to continue over most parts of the country, with isolated storms likely in some areas, including the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the South-eastern lowlands, the Coast, North-western, and North-eastern Kenya.
In its short rains forecast, the Kenya Meteorological Department had indicated that rainfall was expected to be well distributed across most parts of the country with a possibility of isolated storms occurring, which could result in flash floods, particularly in the low-lying areas of the northern regions, the Southeastern lowlands, the Coastal region, parts of the Central and South Rift Valley, as well as inadequately drained urban areas.
And with the possibility of Elnino rains, the country had put in place mitigation measures to cushion those residing in prone regions from adverse effects of the phenomenon.
This even as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission warned of possible misuse of public funds under the guise of preparing for the predicted El Nino rains urging all procurements and expenditures undertaken by National Government Ministries/Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and County governments in mitigation measures, in preparation for the anticipated El Nino rains to strictly comply with procurement laws, the Public Finance Management Act, and regulations.
President William Ruto had however downplayed the possibility of the elnino phenomena occurring based on advised provided by weather experts who had downgraded it to above normal rains.
The weatherman had earlier raised an alarm over the possibility of El Nino that was predicted to hit the country from mid-October to December, before clarifying that the rains will be significant, but not El Nino.
