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Weatherman: Why our heavy rain warning was accurate
A woman jumps over a flooded a section of a road in Nairobi's CBD following heavy rains on February 22, 2026.
What you need to know:
- Kenya Meteorological Department says there were rains in a majority of the areas across the country.
- Highest amounts of rainfall were reported in the South Eastern Lowlands, where the Machakos station recorded 107.6mm.
Residents of areas that did not receive rainfall in the past 24 hours have raised concerns on the advisory issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department last Tuesday afternoon.
This is after KMD issued an advisory warning the country of the heavy rainfall, exceeding 20 millimeters, was expected to intensify from Wednesday, to Saturday, March 7, raising the risk of flooding across the majority of the counties.
However, speaking to Daily Nation, David Koros, the Assistant Director Forecasting Services at KMD said that there were rains in a majority of the areas across the country
“It might not have rained yesterday in some areas,” Koros said, “but majority of the places received rainfall. Infact, more than the average amount of 20mm that we expected.” Koros added.
KMD said several parts of the country recorded significant rainfall in the past 24 hours, according to the weather observations from various stations.
The highest amounts were reported in the South Eastern Lowlands, where the Machakos station recorded 107.6mm, while the Makueni station recorded 93.3mm.
Along the coastal region, Mombasa received 81.9mm of rainfall while Msabaha in Kilifi County recorded 51mm.
In Northern Eastern regions, Garissa recorded 39.8mm and Lodwar 29mm. The Rift Valley and western regions also experienced moderate rainfall, with Nakuru recording 34mm, Kisii 28mm, and Kericho 22mm.
In Nairobi, the Dagoretti station recorded 6mm.
Pedestrians shield themselves from the rain using umbrellas in Nairobi's CBD on February 22, 2026.
“Nairobi area received light to heavy rainfalls compared to the rest parts of the country with received heavy rainfall.” Koros said.
KMD gets to come up with their weather predictions from the data they obtain from the stations they have across the country.
For instance, In Nairobi, they use data from the following stations; Dagoretti Corner, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Wilson Airport, the Moi Airbase in Eastleigh area.
“There was some rainfall experienced in the morning in Eastleigh area.
In areas where KMD does not have weather stations, it relies on information shared by the media as well as feedback from the public to complement its observations.
Warning of heavy rains
“We use the feedback shared with us to understand the weather outlook in different parts of the country,” Koros said, “especially in areas where we do not have our stations installed. For instance, reports from the media also help inform our assessments.”
The KMD says it is still standing firm on its earlier warning of heavy rains across parts of the country, urging the public to remain vigilant.
Mr Koros noted that reports continue to indicate intense rainfall in several regions.
“Today, I am receiving reports that some parts of the country are experiencing heavy rainfall. People should still expect heavy rainfall,” he emphasized.
Flood waters may accumulate rapidly including in areas where heavy rain has not directly fallen.
“Flood waters may appear in places where it has not rained heavily,” KMD said, “especially downstream.”
The March–May 2026 long rains were noted to have begun in several regions, including the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Central and South Rift Valley and the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi County.
South-eastern Lowlands and South Coast experienced the onset of rains during the fourth week of February, while the Northwestern and North-eastern regions are expected to see rainfall between late March and early April.
“People are advised to avoid driving through or walking in moving water or open fields,” KMD said.
In addition, residents have also been cautioned against sheltering under trees or near grilled windows during storms to reduce exposure to lightning strikes.
“Do not to shelter under trees and near grilled windows to minimize exposure to lightning strikes,” KMD warned.
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