Kenya’s High Temperatures Are Normal Before Long Rains, Says Kenya Met

Kenya has been experiencing extremely high temperatures since December 2024, with some regions recording peaks of over 36°C, sparking concerns among residents according to the Meteorological Department.

Dr. David Gikungu, the Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department, said these rising temperatures are part of a normal weather pattern that precedes the onset of the long rains.

Speaking during an interview on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) on Monday night, Dr. Gikungu assured Kenyans that this heatwave is not unusual and that relief is on the way.

He revealed that rainfall is expected to begin next week, starting with regions such as Nairobi and other parts of the country. “This season that we are looking to begin in mid-March is always preceded by very high temperatures,” Dr. Gikungu explained.

He further elaborated that the rising temperatures are a direct result of the Earth’s natural movement around the sun. He emphasized that the sun’s movement towards the equator is the key driver behind the heatwave, causing significant warming of the atmosphere and lower pressure, which, in turn, attracts winds.

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“Temperatures are caused by the presence or absence of the sun. Generally, the Earth revolves around the sun. It’s easier when we look at the sun as the one that moves across the equator to the north and to the south,” he stated.

Dr. Gikungu explained that the sun’s movement towards its position directly above the equator is responsible for the current extreme heat in many parts of Kenya. This movement results in intense warming, causing the surrounding air to expand and create areas of low pressure.

As a consequence, winds are drawn in from surrounding areas, particularly from over large water bodies such as the Indian Ocean. When these winds travel over warm water, they pick up moisture, forming rain-bearing clouds. These clouds eventually move inland and bring rainfall.

“When these winds are blowing over masses of water, like the ocean, they will bring with them the clouds that result in rainfall,” he explained.

Dr. Gikungu reassured Kenyans that once the rainy season begins, temperatures will gradually drop to more comfortable levels.

Last week, the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) officially announced the expected start of the March-April-May (MAM) long rains season, predicting that the first showers will fall in the coming days.

According to the Seasonal Weather Forecast for MAM 2025, Kenya is expected to experience warmer-than-average temperatures across the entire country, with some areas, particularly the coastal and northern regions, likely to feel even more intense heat.

However, the rainfall distribution across the country will not be uniform. Some areas, including the Highlands East of the Rift Valley (which covers Nairobi, Kiambu, and surrounding areas), are forecasted to experience near-to-below-average rainfall during this season.

Similarly, the coastal region, including Mombasa, is also projected to receive near-to-below-average rainfall, with May expected to be the peak month for rainfall in these areas.

Despite the expected rainfall, experts warn that high temperatures may persist in some regions due to the influence of global climate patterns such as El Niño and La Niña, which continue to affect seasonal weather variations.

Read Also: Kenya Met Department Predicts Heavy Rainfall After Prolonged Dry Spell