Farmers in all parts of Kenya except the Western sector have been warned to wait until April before planting their crops as the March- April- May 2025 long rain season will be delayed.
In a bulletin released yesterday, the Kenya Meteorological Department’s director, Dr. David Gikungu, advised farmers in all parts of the country, apart from Western Kenya, which has received rains from Monday, not to plant as these showers are likely to end tomorrow (Wednesday). Central, Eastern, and Coast farmers should wait until the beginning of April to start sowing.
Meanwhile, herders and farmers in northeastern counties are advised to reduce their livestock numbers to conserve the little pasture that will be available and avoid planting any crops as the rainfall in these areas is likely to be below average and poorly distributed, i.e., erratic and uneven.
“One of the potential impacts of these poor rains is that if livestock keepers, especially in the ASAL areas, do not reduce their animal numbers, they are likely to face livestock deaths because of little grazing pasture and long trekking distances to find watering points,” explained Gikungu.
The Met also warned livestock keepers in Central, Central Rift Valley, Eastern, Northeastern and Coastal regions to prepare for increased livestock disease outbreaks.
The Northwest counties of Turkana, Samburu, and Northern West Pokot are expected to receive just 150, 250, and 200mm of rain, respectively. Northeastern counties of Wajir, Isiolo, Garissa, Mandera and Marsabit are expected to receive 180, 250, 230, 160, and 220mm of rain.
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The main rains in these counties are expected in the first to second week of April, with the end date of the rains not yet known.
Western sector counties (Western Kenya region, Nyanza region (Lake Victoria Basin) and the western part of Rift Valley counties may experience soil erosion and degradation as well as nutrient leaching due to floods. This may negatively affect both crop and pasture growth.
These Western sector counties include Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Narok, Bomet, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Nandi, Kakamega, and Vihiga counties, which are expected to receive an average of 950 mm evenly spread from February and end in June with occasional dry spells.
These continuous rains will support crop growth and reduce the need for any additional irrigation.
However, high humidity in these counties, together with warmer-than-expected temperatures, may lead to an increase in pests and diseases that will affect crops and livestock.
Pre and post-harvesting losses may also be experienced.
During the long rains, the highest rainfall in these counties is expected to hit 1,000mm in Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Nandi, Kakamega, and Vihiga counties.
Nakuru, Baringo, Western parts of Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia,
Bungoma and the Southern parts of West Pokot are expected to receive approximately 807mm of rain.
Baringo will have the lowest expected rainfall, 500.5 mm, and Trans Nzoia the highest at over 1,000 mm.
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The rainfall in these counties begins in the second week of March and lasts until the first week of April. will continue until June, with occasional dry spells.
There will also be increased weed growth because of enhanced rainfall, which will increase the production costs of farmers over the western sector.
Rainfall distribution is also expected to be poor to fair (reasonably consistent over time and geography, aligning with seasonal needs) in these counties.
Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Embu, Meru, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nairobi, Tharaka Nithi
Counties in the eastern parts of Laikipia County will receive an average of 800.5mm of rain.
Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, and Kiambu will receive around 801 to 1,000 mm of rain, while Meru and Nyandarua will get 601–1,000 mm.
There have been occasional showers in February that have been followed by a dry spell, with the main rains expected to start in the fourth week of March to the first week of April before ending in the third/fourth week of May.
The rains in these counties are expected to be fairly distributed.
Kajiado, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Tana River and Taita Taveta counties are expected to receive an average of 384.17mm of rain that will be poorly to fairly distributed.
The occasional rains in February will be followed by a dry spell before resuming in the fourth week of March to the first week of April, before ending in the third to fourth week of May.
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Lamu, the Coastal parts of Tana River, and the Northern parts of Kilifi will receive 450, 420, and 500mm of rain, respectively.
The rains, which will be poorly distributed, will begin in the second to third week of April and continue through June.
Mombasa, Kwale and the Southern parts of Kilifi will receive 500, 550 and 500mm of rain, which will be poorly to fairly distributed and begin in the fourth week of March to the first week of April and continue to June.
Photo courtesy: USDA Media by Lance Cheung.