Most areas of Kiambu County will this week continue to receive rainfall of between 10mm to as high as 100mm, County Director of Meteorological Services Magdalene Gateri has said.
The areas of Kikuyu, Limuru West, and a few parts of Ruiru Sub-Counties are expected to receive rainfall of about 10mm cumulatively for the whole week.
Giving the weekly forecast valid from Tuesday 17th, to Monday, 23rd, 2023, she added that areas of Thika, Kabete, Limuru Central, Ruiru, a few parts of Juja, Lari, and parts of Kiambu Town Sub-counties are expected to receive rainfall from 10mm to 20mm cumulatively for the whole week.
Gatundu South/North, Githunguri, Limuru East, most parts of Lari Kiambaa, Kiambu, Juja, and a few parts of Thika are expected to receive rainfall of about 20mm to 50mm cumulatively the whole week.
The upper parts of Lari (Kamae area) are expected to receive rainfall of about 50mm to 100mm cumulatively for the entire week.
Gateri said this even as the county, through the established rapid disaster team, which includes members from the County Commissioner’s office and other departments, is trying to address the potential emergencies that might occur during the expected El Nino rains.
She urged farmers who haven’t planted their crops to do so without delay and also called upon residents to harvest the enhanced rainfall.
“All, however, should take precautions during the rains to avoid all the negative impacts”, she added.
Kiambu, Environment and Water CEC David Kuria has been spearheading the clearing of drainage systems and also working with other stakeholders to unclog blocked drainage systems ahead of El Niño rains as predicted by the Kenya Meteorological Department.
Currently, the county has been working on unclogging drainages to improve the heavily blocked existing drainage systems ahead of El Niño rains, but residents and small business owners have also joined in and started being responsible by not littering or dumping waste on sewer lines.
“By taking proactive measures and prioritising preparedness by all, the county can reduce the potential devastation. By working together, we can build resilience, protect lives, and mitigate the adverse effects of El Nino, ensuring a safer and more sustainable future for all.
According to Gateri, departments and sector heads in Agriculture, Livestock Development, Environment and Natural Resources sectors, Water, Irrigation and Sanitation, Energy, Disaster Management sector, Health, Transport, and Public Safety sectors should address both positive and negative impacts that might come with the El Nino rains but also advise residents to take maximum precautions and be prepared.
Rainfall forecasts for the October–December 2023 season infer a likely wetter-than-normal season because both the El Nino phenomenon and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) are in positive status.
Kenya also has a history of experiencing significant flooding, causing loss of lives, increased disease outbreaks, displacement, and widespread destruction of property and infrastructure due to El Niño and positive IOD.
By Wangari Ndirangu
