Rainfall to persist as flooding wreaks havoc in parts of the country
What you need to know:
- The heavy rains have triggered landslides and widespread flooding of residential areas, markets, and businesses.
- The rains have also caused extensive property damage, including to farms, and disrupted essential services.
Rainfall is expected to persist across several parts of Kenya this week, with flooding continuing to wreak havoc in multiple regions.
According to the Ministry of Interior, at least 88 people have died in recent flooding incidents. Nairobi County has recorded the highest number of fatalities at 37, followed by the South Eastern region with 21, while the Rift Valley region has reported eight deaths.
Nyanza has recorded seven fatalities, the Coastal region five, and Central region three, with no deaths reported in the Western region.
A man with his dog wades through a flooded section of his neigbourhood in Elgon View estate, Eldoret City in Uasin Gishu County on March 23, 2026, after River Sosiani burst its banks following heavy rains.
The heavy rains have triggered landslides and widespread flooding of residential areas, markets, and businesses. They have also caused extensive property damage, including to farms, and disrupted essential services, with roads and bridges rendered impassable, water supply lines damaged, and power outages reported.
According to the Ministry of Interior, River Nyando overflowed, sparking widespread flooding in parts of Kisumu County.
“So far, 265 households and six children without their parents were rescued,” The Ministry said.
The rescued children were taken to temporary shelters.
“Currently, they have been sheltered at the compounds of the office of the Ahero Assistant County Commissioner, Ahero Catholic Pastoral Centre and Ombaka dispensary,” the Ministry said.
Several homes, farms, businesses and access roads are reported to have submerged, with water levels rising above the bridge and spilling over, endangering residents, motorists and pedestrians in the areas.
In its weekly forecast, the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) projects that a mix of morning rains, afternoon showers and thunderstorms would be experienced in different regions, with some areas also expected to receive night showers.
However, KMD says the amounts are likely to gradually reduce as the country transitions through the ongoing rainy season.
North-western counties of Turkana and Samburu are likely to experience intermittent rainfall throughout the day, including thunderstorms in isolated areas.
Similar conditions are forecast for counties in the North-eastern counties such as Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo, where morning, afternoon and night showers are expected over a few areas.
In the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kiambu and Nairobi, the mornings are expected to remain largely cloudy with light rains in isolated areas, before giving way to sunny intervals. However, afternoon and night showers are still likely to occur in some areas.
The south-eastern lowlands, covering Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado and Taita Taveta counties, will also experience morning showers followed by showers later in the day.
Despite the rains, high temperatures exceeding 30°C are expected in the Coast, North Eastern regions and the South Eastern lowlands.
Motorists and riders navigate through flooded bridge on the Elgon-View Estate-State Lodge road in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County on March 23, 2026, after River Sosiani burst its banks following heavy rains.
Towns such as Lodwar, Garissa, Mandera and Wajir are projected to record the highest temperatures, reaching up to 39°C.
In contrast, cooler conditions are expected in parts of the central highlands, with night-time temperatures dropping below 10°C in areas such as Nyahururu and Laikipia.
Nairobi will experience moderate conditions, with temperatures ranging between 13°C and 28°C during the period.
KMD further noted that rainfall amounts increased across the country compared to the previous week, while daytime temperatures generally declined.
According to the data collected last week, rainfall was recorded in most parts of the country, with the heaviest downpours observed in the south-eastern lowlands.
Counties listed to have been affected include Nairobi, Kisumu, Narok, Kiambu, Migori, Wajir, Siaya, Makueni, Busia, Kisii, Homabay, Taita Taveta, Baringo, Kajiado, Kitui, Kwale, Machakos, Kericho, Embu, Tharaka Nithi and West Pokot.
Kitaingo Rainfall Station in Makueni County recorded the highest seven-day total of 273.1mm, including a 24-hour peak of 142.3mm on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
According to reports, the floods wreaked havoc in Baringo, Narok, Turkana, Tana River and Taita Taveta counties.
A landslide was reported at Sossiotonin village in Baringo North Sub-County.
“No injuries were reported as the situation remains under close monitoring,” Stephen Sangolo, the County Commissioner at Baringo County said.
In Narok county, Kibailuk stream and Mogor River in Transmara West sub county were reported to have flooded affecting the crossing points.
“Flooding in these areas has rendered all crossing points impassable,” Sangolo said, “with residents advised to void crossing flooded rivers until water levels subside.”
Motorists and riders navigate through flooded bridge on the Elgon-View Estate-State Lodge road in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County on March 23, 2026, after River Sosiani burst its banks following heavy rains.
The flash floods in Tana River county displaced residents in Amka Twende village, Mwangaza and the Mwina cluster in Tana Delta Sub-County.
Further reports noted that a section around Korongo la Mwanzia in Taveta Sub County was declared impassable due to the heavy rainfalls at the CESS-Rekeke-Lake Jipe route in Taita Taveta County.
Kenyans are advised to remain alert to changing weather conditions, particularly in areas prone to storms and temperature extremes, as the forecast points to continued but easing rainfall patterns.
Edward Muriuki, the acting Managing Director at KMD urges Kenyans to continue monitoring official weather advisories.
“I am asking Kenyans to use our products, which we issue; the advisories, for their future planning,” Muriuki said.
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