Rainy season expected to end in the next two weeks

By GATONYE GATHURA

KENYA: The short rains season should start tapering off within the next two weeks, the Meteorology Department of Kenya has said.

Apart from Western Kenya, and a few parts of the Rift Valley highlands, the rains so far have been poor, which could translate into poor crop and livestock production and low water levels in electricity generating dams.

While the effects of the poor performance are already being felt in Garissa and Wajir, much of the rest of the country could start feeling the squeeze early next year unless the country is blessed with unseasonal rains.

An analysis of the performance of the rains so far by the Meteorological Department shows Nairobi, sections of North Eastern, Narok and Garissa as some of the areas that have so far received the least amount of rainfall.

Expected rainfall

Most of these areas received less than 20 per cent of the expected rains.

“The seasonal rainfall analysis in October and November indicates poor performance over most parts of the country,” says Joseph Mukabana, the chief weatherman at the Met Department.

Dr Mukabana says things may not improve much in the remaining part of the rainy season expected to start waning off between this week and Christmas.

“Our forecast indicates that most parts of Kenya, apart from Western region, are likely to experience generally poor rainfall during December,” said the director in a statement.

While the good news indicates no flood or rains-related deaths so far, agricultural performance and recharge of water bodies, including electricity-generating dams, has been poor.

Some good rainfall was received in parts of central and south-eastern Kenya, which have so far resulted in a good crop. However, Mukabana warns farmers in these areas against starting to count their chicks because the rains could cease before the crops reach maturity.

This, accompanied by poor performance of  short term crops such as potatoes, beans and peas, as well as vegetables, could see food prices start rocketing by February next year.