By the 254.ke Newsroom
The Kenya Meteorological Service expects rain in parts of 46 counties between Tuesday, October 20 and Monday, October 26, 2026, with isolated storms possible in nine of them. The same forecast warns of daytime heat above 35°C in eight counties and night temperatures below 10°C in seven others, so the week will not feel the same everywhere.
Which counties will get rain this week?
The forecast, issued on October 19, lists rain in parts of Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kakamega, Kericho, Machakos, Garissa, Meru, Embu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Narok, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu and Turkana, among others. The Star, K24 Digital and Uzalendo News each count 46 counties in their headlines, though their published lists name 45. Kenya Met cautioned that distribution will vary, so some listed areas will see far more rain than others.
K24 Digital reported that coastal counties of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu should get morning showers, while western Kenya, the Rift Valley and the Lake Victoria basin are likely to see afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Night showers are forecast in 27 counties.
Where could storms hit?
Isolated storms are possible in Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Machakos, Laikipia, Samburu, Mandera, Wajir and Marsabit. Residents in those counties are advised to watch for changing conditions as the week goes on.
Where will it be hot, and where cold?
| Condition | Counties |
|---|---|
| Daytime highs above 35°C | Garissa, Wajir, Tana River, Isiolo, Kilifi, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana |
| Night lows below 10°C | Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nakuru, Kajiado |
For named towns, K24 reported forecast highs of 38°C in Lodwar, 37°C in Mandera, 36°C in Wajir, 35°C in Garissa, 34°C in Kisumu and 29°C in Nairobi. Nyahururu is forecast to drop to 7°C at night, Nakuru-area highlands and Narok to about 10°C, and Nairobi to 12°C.
How wet was last week?
For October 12 to 18, the highest seven-day total was 147.0mm at the ADC Sabwani station in Trans Nzoia County, including 110.0mm in 24 hours on October 12. Rainfall rose in Trans Nzoia, Narok, Kakamega and Nyamira, and fell in Nyeri, Nairobi, Lamu, Mombasa and Kilifi. Lodwar logged the week’s hottest day at 38.2°C on October 14.
Why is the rain arriving now?
The October-December “short rains” begin as the Intertropical Convergence Zone moves south across East Africa. The Indian Ocean Dipole, El Niño-Southern Oscillation and other systems affect timing and intensity. Earlier outlooks pointed to above-average rain over most of the country this season; see our guide to when the rains start in each region.
Peter Wambugu, the Kenya Met director in Nyeri, told the Kenya News Agency that the authority is not issuing advisories to farmers, leaving crop guidance to agricultural extension officers. Farmers can read our report on short rains planting and fertiliser prices. Nairobi residents can check the 227 mapped flood hotspots.
Frequently asked questions
Will it rain in Nairobi this week?
Yes. Nairobi is among the counties listed for rain between October 20 and 26, with highs near 29°C and lows around 12°C.
Which counties could see storms?
Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Machakos, Laikipia, Samburu, Mandera, Wajir and Marsabit.
Where is the hottest place this week?
Lodwar is forecast at about 38°C, followed by Mandera at 37°C.
Where can I get the official forecast?
The Kenya Meteorological Department publishes forecasts at meteo.go.ke.
Sources: The Star, K24 Digital and Uzalendo News, all October 19, 2026, citing Kenya Met.
