The Government of Kenya has activated a coordinated multi-agency monitoring and response framework to manage the ongoing March–April–May (MAM) 2026 Long Rains season. The current rainfall cycle, which intensified during the first week of March, is being closely tracked by the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) and the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC). These institutions are providing continuous updates to national and county authorities to ensure preparedness, public awareness, and coordinated response as rainfall activity continues across multiple regions.

Current meteorological assessments indicate that several counties are experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall, with some locations recording precipitation levels exceeding 20 millimeters within 24-hour periods. The rainfall pattern has been influenced by moisture convergence over the East African region and warmer sea surface temperatures in the western Indian Ocean, conditions that typically support sustained rainfall during the long rains season.

Government agencies remain on heightened operational readiness, with monitoring systems in place to track river levels, drainage capacity, road conditions, and community preparedness. The NDOC is coordinating real-time information flows between national government departments, county administrations, humanitarian partners, and emergency response teams to ensure that local authorities receive timely situational updates and technical guidance.

The national response approach emphasizes early communication, community awareness, and proactive infrastructure management. County governments, supported by national agencies, are conducting drainage clearance operations, road monitoring, and river surveillance to minimize disruptions to mobility and public services. At the same time, public communication channels are being used to provide citizens with practical guidance on navigating the ongoing rainfall conditions.

The current phase of the long rains therefore represents a period of active monitoring and coordinated preparedness, with government institutions maintaining continuous oversight while working to ensure that communities, transport systems, and essential services remain functional as the rainfall season progresses.

High-Risk Locations and Areas Experiencing Flooding

The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) continues to monitor rainfall impacts across several regions of the country as the March–April–May (MAM) long rains progress. Sustained precipitation over the past few days has resulted in localized flooding, surface runoff, and temporary disruptions to mobility in a number of counties. National and county response teams remain deployed to manage drainage systems, monitor river levels, and support community preparedness while the rainfall continues.

Nairobi Metropolitan and Surrounding Areas

Within Nairobi and its metropolitan region, persistent rainfall has placed pressure on sections of the city’s drainage infrastructure and transport network. Several major corridors are currently experiencing water accumulation and slow traffic movement, particularly in low-lying sections of the road network.

Flooding has been observed along parts of Mombasa Road and Thika Road, where storm water has accumulated along carriageways and service lanes. Similar conditions have been reported along Jogoo Road, Outer Ring Road, Ngong Road, Waiyaki Way, Lang’ata Road, Enterprise Road, and Likoni Road in the Industrial Area, where drainage systems are working to manage the high rainfall volumes.

Residential and commercial areas including Pipeline Estate, Embakasi, Donholm, South B, South C, Eastleigh, and parts of Westlands are also experiencing localized waterlogging on feeder roads and pedestrian pathways. In Pipeline Estate, sections of Kware Road remain waterlogged, affecting normal movement for residents and small businesses.

Areas situated along the Nairobi River corridor are experiencing elevated water levels and localized flooding following sustained rainfall across the upstream catchment areas. County response teams continue to monitor the river system while conducting drainage clearance operations across nearby neighborhoods.

Within Karura Forest, management has temporarily restricted access to caves, waterfalls, bridges, and sections of the nature trail network due to elevated river levels within the forest ecosystem.

Narok County and the South Rift Corridor

In Narok County, sections of the road network connecting to Emurua Dikirr are experiencing water accumulation following continued rainfall. Transport authorities are advising motorists to exercise caution while travelling along these routes.

Across the wider South Rift region, including Bomet, Kericho, and Nakuru counties, localized flooding has been reported in low-lying settlements and along some rural access roads. County governments are monitoring river levels and supporting drainage management while assisting households affected by temporary displacement.

The Mogor Bridge along the Kilgoris–Lolgorian road continues to be monitored by engineering teams to ensure safe passage during the rainy season.

Western Kenya and the Lake Victoria Basin

Counties within the Lake Victoria Basin, including Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Busia, and Kakamega, are experiencing sustained rainfall accompanied by rising water levels in rivers and surrounding wetlands. Low-lying communities, including areas such as Kakola-Ombaka, are experiencing surface water accumulation linked to both rainfall and fluctuations in Lake Victoria’s water levels.

Authorities continue to monitor river flows across the basin while coordinating with county administrations to manage drainage systems and community preparedness efforts.

Northern and Northwestern Counties

In Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu, and parts of Laikipia, seasonal rivers and dry riverbeds have begun flowing following recent rainfall across the northern rangelands. These flows are improving water availability for pastoral communities while requiring careful navigation at seasonal river crossings and transport routes.

Local administrators are advising residents and transport operators to remain attentive to river levels during movement across these areas.

Coastal and Southeastern Lowlands

Across the Coastal counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, and Taita Taveta, heavy rainfall has resulted in localized flooding in low-lying neighborhoods and along sections of the coastal road network. In some areas, rainfall has also been accompanied by intermittent strong winds affecting residential structures.

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration, working together with the Kenya Red Cross and county governments, continues to coordinate community awareness, drainage management, and preparedness support across affected coastal settlements.

Across all affected regions, national and county teams remain actively engaged in monitoring rainfall patterns, maintaining drainage infrastructure, and supporting community preparedness while the long rains continue across the country.

Public Safety Guidance and Operational Directives

The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, continues to issue nationwide public safety guidance as the March–April–May (MAM) 2026 Long Rains remain active across several regions of the country. Monitoring by the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) and the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) shows that more than forty counties are currently receiving sustained rainfall, with several meteorological stations recording over 20 millimeters within 24-hour periods during the current rainfall cycle.

Real-time field reports from county administrations confirm that the continued precipitation has led to water accumulation along sections of major roads including Mombasa Road and Thika Road in Nairobi, localized flooding along the Nairobi River corridor, and surface runoff in several urban and rural lowlands. These developments require heightened public awareness and careful movement as the rainfall season continues.

To support community safety and preparedness, the Government is encouraging citizens to observe the following operational safety guidance.

1. Movement Away from Riparian and Flood-Prone Areas

• Residents living near riverbanks, streams, seasonal rivers, drainage channels, and wetlands are encouraged to move toward safer and higher ground where water levels may fluctuate during the rainy season. Field observations from several counties show that saturated soils and continuous rainfall can cause rivers and drainage channels to expand beyond their normal boundaries.
• Areas situated along the Nairobi River system, including nearby settlements and commercial zones, are currently experiencing elevated water levels following upstream rainfall. Residents in these areas are encouraged to remain attentive to official advisories issued by county authorities and local administrators.
• Local government officials, chiefs, assistant chiefs, and county disaster response teams remain engaged in community awareness and preparedness activities, ensuring that households living near watercourses understand safe movement options should water levels continue to rise.

2. Road Movement and Travel Advisory

• Continuous rainfall has resulted in water accumulation along several major transport corridors, including Mombasa Road, Thika Road, Jogoo Road, Outer Ring Road, Ngong Road, Waiyaki Way, Lang’ata Road, and sections of Enterprise Road within the Industrial Area. These conditions may slow traffic movement and require motorists to exercise additional caution.
• The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) are advising motorists to avoid driving through flooded sections of road, as water accumulation may conceal damaged road surfaces, drainage channels, debris, or potholes created by surface runoff.
• Motorists are encouraged to reduce speed, maintain safe following distances, and use headlights during heavy rainfall or reduced visibility. Where possible, commuters are advised to use alternative routes and allow additional travel time, particularly during peak rainfall periods.
• Pedestrians should also exercise caution when moving through areas experiencing water accumulation, especially near busy roads where splashing from vehicles and reduced braking efficiency may affect safety.

3. Electrical Safety and Thunderstorm Awareness

• The current rainfall system is accompanied by thunderstorms and intermittent strong winds across several regions. Citizens are encouraged to remain aware of electrical safety considerations during these conditions.
• Floodwater accumulating near electric poles, transformers, and overhead cables should be avoided, as water can transmit electrical current if infrastructure is damaged during storms.
• Individuals are advised to seek shelter in permanent buildings during lightning activity and avoid standing near tall isolated objects, metallic fences, or exposed electrical installations.
• Any damage observed on power lines, electrical poles, or transformers should be reported immediately to Kenya Power through official service channels to allow technical teams to respond promptly.

4. Community Assistance and Emergency Coordination

• National and county response teams remain deployed to support communities experiencing rainfall-related disruptions. The Kenya Red Cross, county disaster units, and community volunteers continue to provide assistance in areas where households require support during the ongoing rains.
• Citizens encountering situations requiring assistance are encouraged to contact the appropriate emergency coordination centres. The Kenya Red Cross emergency line (1199) and the National Disaster Operations Centre hotline (0800 721 571) remain operational throughout the rainfall period.
• These response platforms enable authorities to coordinate rescue assistance, emergency supplies, community support, and situational updates while ensuring that information flows between citizens, local administrators, and national response teams remain active.

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration will continue providing regular updates as meteorological conditions evolve. While rainfall intensity may gradually ease in some regions beginning March 8, meteorological forecasts indicate that Western Kenya and the Coastal region may continue receiving rainfall through March 9, requiring sustained public awareness and preparedness during this period.

Government Infrastructure Response and Public Health Measures

As the 2026 March–April–May Long Rains season continues across the country, the Government of Kenya has intensified coordinated interventions aimed at protecting infrastructure, maintaining service continuity, and safeguarding public health. Through collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, and county governments, response teams are working to stabilize transport networks, maintain drainage systems, monitor river levels, and support community health preparedness.

Current monitoring by the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) and the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) indicates that over forty counties continue to experience sustained rainfall, with several stations recording more than 20 millimeters within 24-hour periods during the ongoing weather cycle. The cumulative effect of these rains has increased surface runoff, raised river levels, and placed pressure on urban drainage systems and rural access roads. Government agencies have therefore activated targeted infrastructure and health measures to ensure stability during this period.

1. Urban Drainage Operations and Flood Mitigation

• County governments, working with national road agencies including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), have deployed engineering teams across major urban centres such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Eldoret, and Thika. These teams are conducting extensive desilting of drainage channels, clearing blocked culverts, removing debris from stormwater drains, and opening natural runoff channels to improve the movement of water through urban drainage systems.
• In Nairobi, special attention has been placed on corridors experiencing high runoff volumes, including sections of Mombasa Road, Thika Road, Jogoo Road, Ngong Road, Outer Ring Road, and Waiyaki Way. Drainage maintenance crews are working to clear sediment buildup, plastic waste, and debris that can obstruct water flow during heavy rainfall. Parallel operations are taking place along the Nairobi River system, where county teams are clearing drainage outlets and improving water passage through the river corridor.
• These drainage operations are designed to reduce prolonged water accumulation on roadways and to restore normal water flow through the city’s stormwater infrastructure. Similar interventions are being undertaken in other municipalities experiencing high rainfall volumes, with county engineers maintaining continuous monitoring of drainage performance.

2. Road Infrastructure Protection and Transport Connectivity

• The Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) has activated maintenance teams across rural counties to assess and restore feeder roads and community access routes affected by rainfall runoff. These roads are essential for linking farms to markets and maintaining access to schools, health facilities, and trading centres during the rainy season.
• In agricultural regions within the North Rift, South Rift, Western Kenya, and Central Highlands, road engineers are conducting grading of washed sections, reinforcement of drainage crossings, clearing of roadside channels, and stabilization of road shoulders that may weaken due to prolonged moisture.
• At the national level, engineers are also conducting precautionary inspections of bridges, culverts, and drainage structures located along major highways. These inspections ensure that transport corridors remain structurally sound as river levels rise and water volumes increase across catchment areas.
• Transport authorities are also coordinating with traffic police units and county enforcement teams to manage vehicle movement in areas where rainfall has slowed traffic or where drainage clearance operations are underway.

3. Public Health Surveillance and Preventive Measures

• The Ministry of Health has activated enhanced disease surveillance systems across counties experiencing sustained rainfall. These systems monitor potential increases in water-related illnesses and vector-borne diseases, which can emerge when rainfall creates standing water or affects sanitation infrastructure.
• Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and county public health officers are conducting outreach activities within communities to promote safe water handling, household hygiene practices, and sanitation awareness. These engagements are particularly focused on neighborhoods experiencing temporary water accumulation or those located near rivers and drainage channels.
• County health departments are also distributing water treatment supplies, including chlorine tablets and purification chemicals, to support households relying on community water points and surface water sources that may be affected by rainfall runoff.
• Health facilities across several counties have strengthened stock monitoring of essential medicines, diagnostic supplies, and preventive materials, ensuring that facilities remain prepared to address any health concerns that may arise during the rainfall period.

4. Environmental Monitoring and River Basin Management

• The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, in collaboration with the Water Resources Authority, is monitoring water levels across major river systems and catchment areas including the Nairobi River Basin, the Lake Victoria Basin tributaries, and the Tana River system. Continuous monitoring enables authorities to detect rising water levels early and coordinate with county administrations where necessary.
• Environmental officers and community groups are conducting riparian zone monitoring and debris removal activities along rivers and drainage channels. Clearing vegetation buildup and waste from these waterways helps improve water flow and reduces the likelihood of drainage blockages during periods of sustained rainfall.
• The government also continues to encourage communities to participate in tree-growing and watershed protection activities, particularly within catchment areas where healthy vegetation cover helps stabilize soils, regulate runoff, and protect riverbanks during heavy rains.

Through these coordinated infrastructure, environmental, and public health measures, the Government of Kenya continues to strengthen national preparedness while maintaining the functionality of transport systems, public services, and community health protection during the ongoing rainy season.

Economic Recovery Framework and Long-Term Climate Resilience Strategy

As the 2026 March–April–May Long Rains season progresses, the Government of Kenya is implementing a structured transition from immediate response measures toward economic recovery, infrastructure rehabilitation, and long-term climate resilience planning. These actions are aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the priorities outlined in the 2026 Budget Policy Statement, which identifies agriculture, infrastructure resilience, water management, and environmental protection as key drivers of sustained national growth.

Current national planning recognizes that the effective management of this rainfall season will influence agricultural productivity, energy generation, transport stability, and food security throughout the remainder of the year. Government institutions are therefore coordinating interventions that stabilize economic activity while strengthening the country’s long-term capacity to manage future rainfall variability.

1. Agricultural Recovery and National Food Security Stabilization

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, working through county agricultural departments and extension officers, has intensified field-level support to farmers across major food-producing regions including the Rift Valley, Western Kenya, Central Highlands, and parts of Eastern Kenya. Extension officers are providing technical guidance on drainage improvement, soil management, crop protection, and recovery of fields affected by excess moisture, ensuring that farmers can continue planting and crop management activities despite the recent rainfall intensity.
• Agricultural support programs are also accelerating the distribution of certified seeds, climate-tolerant crop varieties, and subsidized fertilizers through national input programs. These interventions are designed to help farmers maintain productivity levels during the current planting season while protecting crop yields that will contribute to the national food supply later in the year.
• As harvesting begins in early-maturing zones later in the season, the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will implement a structured procurement program aimed at replenishing the Strategic Grain Reserve. The government’s objective is to ensure that adequate national grain stocks are maintained while also providing farmers with stable market access and fair commodity prices during the harvest cycle.
• Parallel efforts are also supporting livestock producers across pastoral regions where the rains have improved pasture regeneration and water availability. Veterinary and livestock extension teams are working with pastoral communities to manage herd health, pasture utilization, and fodder conservation to ensure sustained livestock productivity beyond the rainy season.

2. National Transport Network Rehabilitation and Trade Continuity

• The Ministry of Roads and Transport, working through its agencies KeNHA, KURA, and KeRRA, has activated a coordinated infrastructure rehabilitation program to address road sections affected by runoff, erosion, and drainage pressure during the peak rainfall period.
• Engineering teams are conducting post-rainfall assessments of major highways, urban road networks, and rural feeder roads to identify areas requiring resurfacing, drainage improvement, and structural reinforcement. These interventions are particularly important in agricultural production zones where road access is essential for moving farm produce to market centres and processing facilities.
• Feeder road restoration in counties across the North Rift, South Rift, Western Kenya, and Central regions will focus on grading damaged road sections, stabilizing shoulders, reinforcing culverts, and restoring drainage crossings that allow stormwater to pass safely beneath road surfaces.
• These efforts aim to ensure that national supply chains remain functional, allowing agricultural goods, industrial inputs, and commercial products to move efficiently between rural production zones, urban markets, and regional trade corridors.

3. Livelihood Recovery and Small Enterprise Stabilization

• The National Treasury, in collaboration with the Financial Inclusion Fund (Hustler Fund) and other government financing mechanisms, is implementing targeted support initiatives designed to stabilize small and medium enterprises (SMEs), informal traders, transport operators, and community-based businesses affected by rainfall-related disruptions.
• These programs include expanded access to affordable working capital, small enterprise recovery loans, and business continuity financing, enabling traders and service providers to resume operations quickly once rainfall conditions stabilize.
• County governments are also coordinating market-level recovery activities aimed at restoring trading spaces, improving drainage in market centres, and supporting small-scale vendors whose operations depend on daily mobility and access to customers.
• These interventions help maintain income flows within local economies, particularly in urban informal sectors and rural market centres where small businesses provide essential goods and services to surrounding communities.

4. Climate Adaptation and Long-Term Environmental Resilience

• The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, together with the Water Resources Authority and the National Climate Change Directorate, is integrating lessons from the 2026 rainy season into Kenya’s long-term climate adaptation and environmental resilience strategy.
• A major pillar of this strategy remains the 15 Billion Trees Initiative, which aims to restore degraded landscapes, strengthen watershed stability, and improve natural water retention across key river catchments. Increased tree cover helps stabilize soils, reduce surface runoff during heavy rainfall, and protect riverbanks from erosion.
• Government agencies are also expanding investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, including larger-capacity urban stormwater drainage systems, improved water harvesting facilities in agricultural zones, and strengthened riverbank stabilization projects in flood-prone catchments.
• These long-term environmental investments support Kenya’s broader climate strategy by improving water security, agricultural sustainability, ecosystem restoration, and resilience to increasingly variable rainfall patterns associated with global climate change.

Through this comprehensive recovery and resilience framework, the Government of Kenya is ensuring that the current rainfall season supports economic productivity, environmental stability, and long-term national development. Coordinated actions across ministries, county governments, and community institutions will continue guiding Kenya’s transition from rainfall response toward sustained economic growth and climate resilience throughout the remainder of the 2026 season and beyond.