NAIROBI -KENYA. Kenyans concerned about the possibility of El Niño weather conditions during the October, November and December (OND) rainy season have been seeking clearer answers from the Kenya Meteorological Department, with some questioning the accuracy and usefulness of its rainfall forecasts.
The concerns have emerged as the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) continues sharing weather updates and educational information about El Niño, a weather phenomenon that can influence rainfall patterns and bring significant changes to weather conditions in different parts of the world.
In one of its latest public education initiatives, the authority released an episode of its Weather Talk Kenya series, explaining the science behind El Niño, how it affects global weather patterns and what it could mean for Kenya during the ongoing OND rainfall season.
The episode, titled El Niño Explained: What Does It Really Mean for Kenya?, sought to help members of the public understand the phenomenon rather than rely on speculation, while encouraging Kenyans to follow official weather information and seek clarification on issues they did not understand.
The authority posed a question to viewers, asking what they would like to know about the weather as it encouraged them to watch the programme and participate in discussions around climate and weather preparedness.
“El Niño is making headlines around the world, but what exactly is it, how does it influence global weather patterns, and what does it mean for Kenya, particularly during the October–November–December (OND) rainfall season?” KMSA posed.
The authority described the programme as an initiative aimed at helping Kenyans understand weather conditions and prepare for what lies ahead.
“Weather Talk Kenya – Understanding the Weather. Preparing for Tomorrow,” the department stated, inviting the public to follow subsequent episodes for more information.
However, the educational message did not entirely address the practical questions some Kenyans had about the expected rainfall, with members of the public using the department’s social media platforms to demand more specific information about when the rains would begin and how long they would last.
One Facebook user, Mkenya Halisi Mwenyewe, said the public was more interested in knowing the actual timing and duration of the expected rainfall than receiving lengthy explanations about weather phenomena.
“We want to know when it will rain and for how long. It’s that simple,” the user commented.
The remarks reflected the kind of practical information some members of the public expected from the weather agency, particularly as the country moved further into the October to December rainy season.
In another update, the Kenya Meteorological Department shared a weekly rainfall forecast covering November 3 to November 10, 2026, indicating that rainfall was expected in several parts of the country.
The forecast listed Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Murang’a, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Samburu, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga, Wajir and West Pokot counties.
Despite the forecast, some Kenyans questioned the department’s earlier communications about the expected El Niño conditions and the subsequent rainfall updates.
Kipngetich E. Rono revisited previous predictions about the expected weather conditions, suggesting that the public had been given different expectations about when the rains would peak.
“From the ‘El Niño will peak on mid October to expect the rains in some parts of…’ Our class of 2015 doing wonders,” he commented.
Another Facebook user, Tsegaye Wold Giorgis, questioned the department’s repeated use of the term showers in its weather communication.
“They are now back to their usual, overused, boring term: showers,” the user remarked.
