If you have outdoor plans this week, the Kenya Meteorological Department wants you to think twice. The department has projected continued rainfall across large parts of the country between May 19 and May 25, 2026, with afternoon thunderstorms, morning showers, and partly cloudy nights expected to define the week for millions of Kenyans.
The regions in the forecast spotlight include the Highlands, the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Coast, parts of the Southeastern Lowlands, and sections of Northeastern Kenya. Rainfall intensity will vary by location, but the department is urging residents across all affected areas to stay alert throughout the week.
What to Expect in Your Region
Residents in the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the Rift Valley can expect a familiar pattern: sunny mornings that give way to heavier activity as the day progresses.
“Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are expected over a few places occasionally spreading to several places,” the department stated.
Nights in these areas will be partly cloudy, with isolated showers still possible after dark.
In the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, cloudy mornings will gradually clear into sunny intervals, followed by afternoon showers in a few locations. Nights will be partly cloudy with occasional showers.
Northwestern Kenya gets the mildest outlook of the week. Dry, sunny conditions will dominate during the day, with partly cloudy nights. That said, the Met Department notes that isolated morning rains may still catch some areas off guard.
Northeastern Kenya will enjoy predominantly sunny intervals during the day and partly cloudy nights, though scattered morning showers remain possible in certain locations.
In the Southeastern Lowlands, warm and sunny daytime conditions are the headline, but residents should still watch for isolated afternoon showers. Nights will be partly cloudy.
Along the Coast, sunny intervals will characterize most days, with partly cloudy nights. However, the department specifically flagged morning and night showers as likely for some coastal areas.
“Morning and night showers may occur over a few places,” the forecast noted.
Safety Warnings You Should Not Ignore
Beyond the forecast itself, the Kenya Meteorological Department issued a set of safety advisories that carry real urgency, particularly for communities in flood-prone and low-lying areas.
Residents should stay alert for localized heavy rainfall that can trigger flooding, waterlogging, and dangerous thunderstorm activity with little warning. The department strongly advises Kenyans to avoid walking or driving through moving water, however shallow it may appear, because of the serious risk of drowning or vehicles being swept away by fast-moving currents.
Thunderstorms carry their own specific dangers this week. The department cautioned the public against sheltering under trees or near grilled windows during storms, pointing to the severe hazards posed by lightning strikes and strong winds.
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