The Kenya Meteorological Department has advised Kenyans to stay hydrated during the hot and dry weather conditions expected to persist for the rest of the week.
In the one-week forecast, the Met department said Kenyans should expect a surge in the daytime temperatures countrywide. It also urged Kenyans to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day.
"Hot and dry weather is expected to persist in all parts of the country. Daytime(Maximum) temperatures are expected to remain higher than average over much of the country," the weatherman said in a Twitter post.
"Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and avoid outdoor activities during the hottest day. Average daytime(maximum) temperatures are likely to be high (more than 30°C) over most parts of the country," the department added.
Forecast for 14-20 February 2023
☀️☀️ Hot and Dry weather is expected to persist all parts of the country.
🌡️Daytime (maximum) temperatures are expected to remain higher than average over much of the country. pic.twitter.com/sZgF4XG4AE— Kenya Met Department 🇰🇪 (@MeteoKenya) February 13, 2023
According to the weatherman, the average night-time temperatures will reduce to less than 10 degrees celsius across several parts of the Highlands East of the Rift valley.
"Average night time (minimum) temperatures are likely to be low(less than 10°C)) over several parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley," the statement added.
Ruto's prayers for rain
This development comes at a time when the country is turning to prayers for rains. On February 14, 2023, President William Ruto led national prayers for the rains as drought continues to ravage at least 23 counties.
Last week, the National Drought Steering Committee warned that Kenyans should brace for more challenging times ahead which may last until October.
The chair of the committee Peter Ndegwa said the number of those facing starvation may soon reach six million up from 4.3 million currently.
“The sad reality is that the current situation is here to stay," Ndegwa said.
So far, the committee raised Ksh650 million towards mitigation measures and hopes to raise one billion by the end of February.
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) is also warning that the drought situation is worsening in the pastoral regions of the country.
According to FEWSNET, most water sources are drying up in many areas.
The report indicates that people are travelling on average three to 17 kilometres to access water, while livestock trek 10 to 33 kilometres to reach water points.
“Livestock milk production, a key source of food and income, remains well below normal, with livestock producing from zero to 0.9 litres per household per day,” says the report on the ongoing drought situation in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) in the counties.
Overall, the ongoing drought continues to severely hinder household access to food and income, resulting in widespread crisis,” it says.
