Kenyans preparing their farms ahead of the planting season have been asked to brace up for below-average rainfall between March and May 2025.
In their seasonal outlook covering the three months of March, April and May released on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, David Gikungu, Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department and the Permanent Representative of Kenya with the World Meteorological Organization, noted that below-average rainfall is expected several parts of the country, especially Northeastern Kenya.
“Near to below-average rainfall is expected over the Central Rift Valley, Highlands East of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi County), most of Northwest Kenya, Coastal region, Southeastern Lowlands, and some areas of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley,” David Gikungu stated.
Near above average
Nonetheless, the weatherman indicated that some areas are more likely to receive near to above-average rainfall.
The Western part of the country where most farmers capitalise on this season to plant maize, beans and other crops will mostly be favoured by this predicted pattern.
“The national consolidated forecast The MAM 2025 forecast shows near to above-average rainfall over the Lake Victoria Basin, South Rift Valley, Highlands West of the Rift Valley, southern Southeastern Lowlands, and northern Northwestern Kenya,” Gikungu stated,” Kenya Met noted.
During the three months, the listed areas are also expected to experience storms. However, peak rainfall is expected in April before subsiding in May to allow planted crops to germinate and grow.
Below-average rainfall
According to the seasonal weather forecast outlook, northeastern regions and the north coast will experience below-average rainfall which affects farmers planning to plant crops that require adequate rainfall.
Farmers in these areas will be compelled to find alternative crops that would thrive under low rainfall.
In 2024, the long rainy season caused massive flooding in various parts of the country. As a result, many people were displaced while others were carried away by the raging flood waters.
The rains forced the national government to demolish and evacuate people living near river banks with Nairobi being among the most affected region.
As of May 10, 2024, an estimated 267 people had been killed, 188 injured, and 75 missing, while 281,835 people (56,367 families) were displaced and almost 380,573 (76,114 families) affected by persistent heavy rains and flooding, according to the National Disaster Operations Centre.
In addition, more than 9,973 livestock had been lost, 41,562 acres of cropland and 61 roads damaged, 886 businesses, 1,967 schools, 1,465 water sources and 62 health facilities damaged in 11 out of 42 counties affected by floods.
The rains also affected school calendars in various parts of the country with the government forced to dig deep into the pockets to repair the destroyed infrastructure.
