Weather forecast time from Kenyan national services, with the approach of the rainy season. While in the coastal region at least another month of good weather (and good heat) can be expected, in some areas of the northwest and the Rift Valley the continuation of the drought is not normal and is already creating problems for the population, animals and crops.
According to meteorologists it will be a long season but with below average rainfall, after last year's floods that caused almost 300 deaths and displaced thousands of people.
On the other hand, this followed three previous years in which drought had been felt as never before in the history of independent Kenya.
This year the climate crisis unit has sounded the alarm for the so-called arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL), raising the forecast for the number of people who will suffer from severe food shortages before June. According to the government agency, this will be almost 3 million.
As far as rainfall is concerned, June should be the month with the highest rainfall, while last year it was concentrated more in April and May.
On the coast, a period of hot weather is expected before the rains, with an increase in humidity, but the forecasts for how much rain will fall between Mombasa and Malindi are still quite unclear.
What is certain is that, everywhere in Kenya, rainfall is eagerly awaited again this year, as long as it doesn't turn torrential and destructive out of nowhere.