Expect floods from tomorrow, warns Met department

Heavy rains are set to begin pounding various parts of the country from today, Wednesday, February 28, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department.

The weatherman predicts that a three-day heavy downpour that could cause floods is likely to occur from Thursday, March 1 to Saturday, March 3 in counties in Western, Rift Valley, Nyanza, Central, Nairobi area and Southeastern lowlands.

“The counties to be affected by the heavy rainfall include: Kisii, Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Migori, Kakamega, Kajiado, Nakuru, Kwale, Marsabit, Turkana, Samburu, Nairobi, Nyeri, Kiambu, Murang’a, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Taita Taveta,” said the Met department.

Residents of urban areas have been advised to be on the lookout for flash floods. The department also says this is not “the proper onset of the March-May rainfall season.”

This comes even as vagaries of drought continue to ravage various parts of the country causing an acute food and water shortage that has seen schools in the the Rift Valley region closed down.

The government, concerned with high rate of deforestation, has temporarily banned logging and timber harvesting to protect forests and key water catchment areas .

Last week, 10 schools were closed indefinitely while several others are facing closure in Tiaty, Baringo County due to the ongoing drought in the area.

Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday, February 24 directed the Ministry of Environment, all environment agencies and the relevant county departments to ensure the three-month ban is enforced.

“Deforestation, degradation and encroachment of water towers and other catchment areas,uncontrolled human activities including wanton logging have threatened and undermined the country’s capability to ensure food security. This situation poses a threat to the achievement of the big four agenda items of the Jubilee Government,” said DP Ruto.