The Kenya Meteorological Department boss David Gikungu on Monday, April 29, explained why Kenyans are experiencing enhanced rainfall.
Speaking during an interview at a local TV station, the Director of Meteorological Services attributed the current weather patterns to signals of El Nino and the Indian Ocean dipole.
He noted that the two signals were also behind the El Nino rains experienced during the latter months of 2023.
However, he clarified that the current rains were not El Nino but enhanced long rains.
"Come the beginning of the long rains, we forecasted that we would have enhanced rainfall. It was clear to us as forecasters that the signal that caused enhanced rainfall during the short rain period was still strong enough to have an impact on the long rains.
"So it is the same signal of El Nino that has triggered the excess rainfall that we are still observing to date," he explained.
In the last two weeks, some parts of the country have been experiencing rainfall between 40 and 100 millimetres.
The enhanced rains are also expected to continue for the better part of the week in parts of the country.
Notably, the recent rains have led to floods which have also seen over 70 people lose their lives with an unknown value of property destroyed.
"Flooding is expected in low-lying areas, those in flood plains as well as in urban areas with poor drainage. The public is advised to avoid driving through or wading in fast-moving water.
"The expected heavy rainfall is likely to be accompanied by strong winds, thunder and lightning. The public are advised to avoid sheltering under trees and metallic structures to minimize exposure to lightning strikes," Kenya Met advised.
Meanwhile, the government had advised Kenyans to move to higher grounds owing to the projected landslides in parts of the country.
