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February is usually a dry month. It’s a suitable month to finish harvesting and prepare for the planting season in farming areas. Kenya Meteorological Department says most of the country will be sunny and dry throughout the month.
The department expects sunny and dry weather to worsen the drought in arid areas of the country. This would lead to further reduction in pasture and fodder for wildlife and livestock.
In October and November, dry weather in arid areas reduced pasture and water for livestock and food for humans. The department says that residents in these areas faced acute food shortage. Children were severely malnourished and had to rely on food supplements.
In addition, it said livestock deaths were reported in Taita Taveta, Kwale, Marsabit, Wajir, Garissa, Kilifi, Samburu, Tana-River and Isiolo counties. Milk and meat production in these counties was affected because body conditions of the remaining livestock were bad.
The worsening drought in arid areas could lead to further shortage of drinking water for humans, livestock, and wildlife.
“[This] may result in human-to-human and human to wildlife conflicts,” says the department’s Weather Forecast for February 2022. “The Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government and humanitarian institutions are therefore advised to put in place measures to avert possible negative impacts that may arise.”
In addition, the expected dry conditions together with high temperatures will further reduce water levels in dams and rivers. The department advised those in arid areas to conserve water; those in areas expected to receive occasional rainfall to harvest and store rainwater.
Specific weather forecast for counties
Most parts of the country will sunny and dry during the month. But a few areas would occasionally rain.
Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Laikipia, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma and Busia
These counties would likely be dry for most of the month.
But occasional rainfall is expected during the month especially in Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Bomet, Kericho, Narok and Nakuru. The rainfall amounts in these areas are likely to be near the February normal average. Maximum temperatures would range between 24C and 35C.
Turkana, West Pokot, and Samburu
The counties would be sunny and dry during the month. Maximum temperatures would be between 30C and 40C.
Nairobi, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi
These counties would be sunny and dry for most of the month. However, a few areas are likely to occasionally rain during the month. The rainfall amounts are likely to be near the February normal average. Maximum temperatures would be between 22C and 31C.
Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, Mandera and Marsabit
They will be sunny and dry with temperatures ranging between 26C and 40C.
Kajiado, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, and Taita Taveta
The counties will be dry and sunny for most of the month. But it will occasionally rain over a few places during the first half of the month. The rainfall amounts are likely to be near to slightly above the February usual average. Maximum temperatures would be between 24C and 36C.
Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale
They will be dry throughout the month. But a few areas over the south coast could rain during the month. Maximum temperatures would be between 31C and 35C.
