Rains, strong winds expected across several parts in the country, Kenya Met warns
By Dan Kauna, May 7, 2026The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has issued a weather advisory for Thursday, 7 May 2026, warning of rainfall across several parts of the country and strong winds exceeding 25 knots (12.5 metres per second) in parts of Turkana, Tana River, and Marsabit counties.
The 24-hour rainfall forecast, valid from 9:00 am today to 9:00 am on Friday, 8 May 2026, shows light to moderate rain, ranging between 5 and 25 millimetres, expected across much of central Kenya, including Nairobi and its environs, the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin and parts of the Coast.
Isolated areas in western Kenya may receive between 25 and 40 millimetres.
According to the department’s weekly forecast for 5th to 11th May 2026, mornings in the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, which include Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi and Laikipia counties, are likely to be cloudy with occasional rain over a few places, giving way to sunny intervals.
Afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms are also expected to develop over a few places.
What Nairobi residents can expect
Nairobi’s temperatures this week are forecast at a maximum of 26°C and a minimum of 14°C, according to the department’s seven-day forecast table.
Nights are cool across the highlands, with temperatures below 10°C expected in some areas of the Central Rift Valley and near Mt Kilimanjaro.
For the Highlands West of the Rift Valley (covering Kakamega, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kericho, Bomet, Kisii, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin-Gishu and Narok counties, among others), sunny intervals are expected in the mornings, with afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms likely over afew places, at times spreading to several.
Along the Coast, covering Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale counties, morning, afternoon and night showers are likely over a few places.
Areas on alert for strong winds
Kenya Met has flagged strong southerly to southeasterly winds exceeding 25 knots over parts of Turkana, Tana-River and Marsabit counties.
The department’s wind forecast maps show speeds of between 8 and 10 metres per second along Kenya’s eastern coastal strip, with lighter winds of 2 to 6 metres per second over central Kenya.
Residents in the affected counties, particularly those engaged in fishing, herding or outdoor work, are advised to take precautions.
The warning comes as the country continues to see elevated rainfall.
During the week of 27th April to 3rd May 2026, Dagoretti Meteorological Station in Nairobi recorded the highest seven-day rainfall total nationally at 225.9 millimetres.
The single highest 24-hour reading was 107.2 millimetres, at Kibauni Rainfall Station in Machakos County on 28th April 2026.
Kenya Met notes that rainfall amounts across the country increased between those two review periods.
Residents are advised to stay alert, particularly in areas prone to flash flooding and landslides.