The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a five-day heavy rainfall alert covering at least 22 counties, warning that downpours will intensify from Saturday afternoon through Wednesday evening, with Nairobi among the areas expected to experience increased rainfall.
In a statement released on Friday, the department said moderate to heavy rainfall is expected between 3 p.m. on February 21 and 6 p.m. on February 25, with a moderate probability of occurrence ranging between 33 and 66 per cent.
Kenya Met indicated that rainfall currently being experienced over the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and the Highlands both west and east of the Rift Valley—including Nairobi—is forecast to strengthen to more than 20 millimetres within 24 hours starting Saturday.
“The heavy rainfall is likely to intensify to more than 30mm in 24 hours on 22nd, 23rd and 24th February 2026 and spread to the Southeastern lowlands and the Coastal region especially south Coast,” the advisory stated, warning of potential flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
Coastal counties such as Mombasa and Kwale, along with parts of Kilifi and southern Tana River, are expected to experience heavier rainfall as the weather system moves from inland regions toward the coast.
Other counties listed in the advisory include Migori, Nyamira, Bungoma, Kakamega, Embu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Tharaka-Nithi, Kisii, Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Nairobi, Kericho, Bomet, Taita-Taveta, and Kitui.
The department cautioned that flooding may occur even in areas that do not receive heavy rainfall directly, particularly in downstream regions where runoff water accumulates.
“Flood waters may appear in places where it has not rained heavily, especially downstream,” Kenya Met warned.
Residents in the affected counties have been urged to remain alert and take precautionary measures against possible flooding. Authorities have advised the public to avoid walking or driving through moving water and to stay away from open fields during thunderstorms due to safety risks.
Kenya Met added that rainfall intensity is expected to gradually reduce from February 25 but assured that it will continue monitoring weather patterns and issue timely updates should significant changes occur in the forecast.
