Farmers across Kenya have been encouraged to take full advantage of the ongoing rains expected to continue in several parts of the country over the coming days, following a fresh advisory issued by the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (Kenya Met).
In its latest advisory, the Kenya said the continued rainfall presents a critical opportunity for farmers to improve crop production, regenerate pasture, and prepare land for the remainder of the planting season.
According to Kenya Met, significant rainfall is expected across the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the South Rift Valley. The authority noted that the rains are likely to create favourable conditions for farming activities, particularly in areas where crops are currently at crucial growth stages.
“Farmers should take advantage of the expected rainfall to support crop growth and pasture establishment,” Kenya Met stated in the advisory.
The weather agency further indicated that the rainfall belt is expected to stretch to several Coastal counties, including Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Malindi, where farmers have also been urged to make use of the wet conditions to enhance agricultural productivity.
Parts of the Southeastern Lowlands and Northeastern Kenya are also expected to receive rainfall. Counties such as Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, and Kajiado have been advised to intensify farming activities, including land preparation, planting, and crop management, to benefit from the current weather patterns.
Kenya Met noted that the sustained rains are expected to improve and maintain soil moisture levels in many agricultural zones, which will directly support crop growth and pasture regeneration. The improved moisture conditions are also likely to ease land preparation for farmers planning the next phase of cultivation.
The authority observed that crops in many regions are currently performing well due to the consistent rainfall received over recent weeks. The favourable weather conditions have helped sustain healthy crop growth while reducing moisture stress in farming areas.
In several counties, beans have already reached maturity or are approaching harvesting stages. Areas such as Kericho, Dagoretti, and Nyeri are reporting crops at maturity and pre-maturity levels, while bean harvesting has already begun in parts of Kakamega.
Pasture conditions are also expected to improve further in regions that continue to receive rainfall, providing relief to livestock farmers who have faced recurring dry conditions in previous seasons.
Kenya Met has additionally advised livestock farmers to conserve pasture and harvest rainwater while conditions remain favourable. The authority said these measures will help sustain livestock during future dry spells, particularly in arid and semi-arid counties.
“Livestock farmers are encouraged to conserve pasture and harvest rainwater to support livestock during drier periods,” the agency stated.
Northern counties such as Garissa, Mandera, Samburu, and West Pokot were specifically highlighted as areas where water harvesting and pasture conservation will be crucial in safeguarding livestock production once dry conditions return.
The weather agency also urged farmers across the country to remain vigilant by regularly monitoring weather forecasts and consulting agricultural extension officers for timely guidance. According to Kenya Met, staying updated on changing weather conditions will enable farmers to make informed decisions on planting, harvesting, irrigation, and livestock management.
The advisory comes at a time when regional climate experts are warning of a potentially hotter and drier season across much of East Africa in the months ahead.
On May 21, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) warned that most countries in the region are likely to experience below-average rainfall and elevated temperatures between June and September. The warning affects countries including South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Sudan.
Although Kenya is expected to avoid the worst of the projected rainfall deficits, parts of western and coastal Kenya could still face reduced rainfall during the period.
Climate experts say the expected dry conditions across East Africa could threaten food production, pasture availability, and water resources if farmers fail to take advantage of the current rains.
With the rainy conditions still persisting in several parts of Kenya, agricultural authorities are now calling on farmers to maximise the opportunity by strengthening crop management practices, conserving water, and preparing adequately for the possibility of drier months later in the year.
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