Kenya Enters Long Rain Season as Meteorological Department Warns of Heavy Downpours Across the Country

Most regions will see intense rainfall in the first half of March, with April forecast to be the climatic peak of the MAM season.

Monday, March 2, 2026

The Kenya Meteorological Department has urged residents across the country to prepare for increased rainfall this month, as Kenya officially enters the March-April-May (MAM) 2026 long rain season.

In its monthly weather outlook, the department said that the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the South Coast, the Northwestern region, and parts of the southern lowlands are all expected to receive near-average to above-average rainfall during March.

The department warned that rainfall will be most intense during the first half of the month, before gradually tapering off in the second half.

“March serves as the official onset of the MAM season, leading into April, which is anticipated to be the climatic peak. During this period, isolated heavy rainfall events may occur nationwide. The season is expected to conclude for most parts of the country by late May,” the Kenya Meteorological Department stated.

Central Kenya and Nairobi

Counties in the central highlands — including Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and Nairobi — are forecast to receive near-average to above-average rainfall throughout the month. Residents in these areas should however expect occasional heavy downpours in the first 15 days of March.

Southeastern and Lower Eastern Counties

Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, and Taita-Taveta counties are similarly expected to experience near-average to above-average rainfall, while the eastern parts of Tana River County are forecast to receive near-average amounts. Occasional heavy rainfall is predicted across all these counties during the first half of the month.

Coast Region

Along the coast, Lamu, Tana Delta, and the eastern parts of Kilifi County are set to receive near-average rainfall. Mombasa, Kwale, and the western parts of Kilifi County are forecast to receive near-average to above-average rainfall.

“Intermittent rainfall, which may occasionally be heavy, is expected during the first half of the month. Rainfall onsets for the North Coast are likely to occur from the fourth week of March to the first week of April,” the department noted.

Western Kenya and the Rift Valley

A wide belt of western and Rift Valley counties — including Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Busia, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, and Narok — will experience near-average to above-average conditions for most of the month. Occasional heavy rainfall is expected across all these areas during the first half of March.

Northern Kenya

Turkana and Samburu counties are expected to receive near-average to above-average rainfall this month, with occasional heavy downpours forecast in the first half. The main rainfall onset for these counties is anticipated between the first and second weeks of April.

Further north, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo counties are forecast to receive near-average rainfall for the month, with the western parts of Marsabit and Isiolo expected to see near-average to above-average amounts.

Weather forecasts are issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department. Residents are advised to monitor official updates and take necessary precautions ahead of anticipated heavy rainfall events.