Kenya Met Explains Why The Long Awaited Short Rains Remain Missing In Parts Of The Country

Kenyans had been waiting eagerly for the October to December rains. Many farmers and families expected heavy downpours this season. Instead parts of the country are still facing dry and dusty days.

The Kenya Meteorological Department says low pressure systems over the northern Indian Ocean are to blame. These systems temporarily slowed the southward movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. This zone is a major driver of rainfall during the short rains season.

Speaking on Wednesday Hannah Kimani explained what went wrong. She is the Director of Public Weather Services at Kenya Met. She said the zone brings rain when it moves from the north to the southern hemisphere. That movement was interrupted just as the season picked up.

Some areas started receiving rain as early as September. Others recorded the onset in the first week of October. Mandera and Marsabit saw rain as expected. So did Nyeri and Meru. However central and eastern Kenya have felt the delay most.

Kimani added that the Indian Ocean has not built the conditions needed to sustain rain over some areas. The ocean supplies the moisture that fuels the showers. Without it the rains cannot spread across the country as planned.

Hopes had been high because of a very strong El Niño. A special report from FEWS NET said El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole should bring above average rain to the Horn of Africa. Some areas could even see 150 per cent of normal rainfall.

Still a forecast does not mean rain will fall everywhere at once. A tropical storm in the Indian Ocean is now being watched closely. It could either bring rain or push rain-bearing systems away. The weekly forecast shows pockets of rain towards the weekend. Residents are urged to follow official updates.

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