Kenya’s Meteorological Department (Kenya Met) has forecast rainfall across more than half of the country on Friday, 18 September 2026, with light to moderate showers expected in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and at least 29 other counties.
In its daily forecast issued at 3:00 pm on Thursday and valid from 9:00 pm tonight to 9:00 pm tomorrow.
“Rainfall is expected in some parts of Kericho, Kakamega, Nandi, Kisumu, Vihiga, Baringo, Bomet, Homa Bay, Nakuru, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nyandarua, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Nairobi, Embu, Meru, Nyeri, Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Kwale, Lamu and Kilifi counties,” the department said.
The forecast signals a wet start to the weekend for farmers in the country’s high-rainfall agricultural belt. Kericho recorded the highest rainfall in the reporting period ending 9:00 AM Thursday, according to the department’s rainfall chart, followed by Mombasa and Kitale.
Strong winds to batter northern and coastal counties
The department also warned of hazardous wind conditions, saying “strong southerly to southeasterly winds of above 25 knots (12.5m/s)” were expected over parts of Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu and Kitui counties.
The advisory is likely to affect fishermen and small vessels operating along Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline and in the arid north, where such wind speeds can generate rough seas and blowing dust.
Coastal towns brace for showers
Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu are all expected to see light showers in a few places across the night, morning and afternoon, with maximum temperatures of 28°C, 27°C, 28°C and 28°C respectively.
Taita Taveta, which falls under both the rainfall and wind advisories, will be partly cloudy with light showers likely in a few places and a maximum of 27°C.
Cloudy and cold conditions in Central Kenya
Intermittent cloudy and cold conditions are expected in parts of Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Wajir and Garissa counties. Nyandarua is forecast to be the coldest county, with a maximum of just 20°C and a minimum of 9°C. Nairobi, which will see sunrise at 06:23 and sunset at 18:29, is among the counties expected to receive rain.
The department defines “light” rainfall as less than 5 millimetres in 24 hours: “gentle rain, drizzle”, while moderate rainfall of 5 to 20 millimetres is described as “steady, noticeable rain.” “Few places” refers to rain in less than 33 per cent of a region.
Sunny intervals for the North-East
Other parts of the country are likely to experience sunny intervals. Garissa, Wajir and Mandera in the north-east will be partly cloudy before clearing to sunny intervals, with Mandera the hottest county at 35°C.
Marsabit and Isiolo will follow a similar pattern, while Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Embu, Kitui, Machakos and Makueni will see cloudy skies breaking into sunny intervals, with a chance of light rains over a few places in Embu.
The forecast, signed by Duty Forecaster Orwa, covers the 24 hours from 9:00 pm Thursday to 9:00 pm Friday. Residents in affected counties are advised to carry umbrellas, while those in coastal and northern regions should exercise caution amid the strong wind warning.
