Following the heavy rainfall experienced in Nairobi on Sunday, February 15, 2026, the Kenya Meteorological Department has released the weather forecast for the period beginning February 17, 2026, to February 23, 2026, which shows rains are expected to continue over most parts of the country.
Kenya’s western region, central highlands including Nairobi, the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, and parts of the south-eastern lowlands are forecast to experience rainfall this week.
However, the country’s north-eastern and north-western areas are predicted to experience generally sunny and dry conditions.
On the other hand, the maximum daytime temperature is predicted to be above 30°C in several regions including the coast, south-eastern lowlands, north-eastern, and north-western Kenya.
Cool nights of below 10°C are also expected in parts of the central highlands, the central Rift Valley, western Kenya, and areas near Mt. Kilimanjaro.
An earlier forecast
The Kenya Meteorological Department had earlier forecast that the 2026 March-April-May rains would begin as from the second week of March.
The rains in February come as a relief considering the hot conditions seen in January and part of February 2026 in various parts of the nation.
Kenya is highly dependent on rainfall for its agricultural produce. The proper implementation of irrigation projects like the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Scheme, which is located along the Tana and Athi Rivers in Kilifi and Tana River counties, could make a significant impact on the food security situation in the nation.
The drought situation in Kenya
In early February 2026, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki disclosed that the government had reviewed the food and nutrition security in the country following the escalating drought caused by sub-optimal performance of the short rains in the 2025 October-December season.
He explained that the government had released more resources to procure more food and non-food items for 3.3 million people who needed support across the country, for water, livestock feed, and other related interventions.
“Met cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries, and heads of relevant agencies to review the situation, agreed on how to streamline the last mile delivery modalities to cushion the people of Kenya and their livelihoods from the effects of drought,” Kindiki said in a statement.
The rains come as farmers across the country prepare for the March-April-May rainy season to support their agricultural activities.
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