The media has been singled out as a critical sector in sharing crucial information to the public prior, during and after the October-November-December rains.
To achieve this, media practitioners have been advised to interpret seasonal weather forecasts into easier to understand data for the general public.
In addition, the media should track rain-related risks and promptly broadcast the information before a disaster strikes.
“The key role of the media during the OND 2026 short rains is to give communities trusted, timely information on preparedness and response, counter misinformation and sensation reporting and maintain continuity of broadcasting and digital communication during the season,” reads part of the weather outlook by the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority (KMSA) dated August 31.
The KMSA has already warned that most parts of the country will receive above-average rainfall while others like Turkana and Samburu will experience near-to above-average rainfall.
In total, 18 counties have been put on red alert of being at risk of being affected by the El Nino rains expected to commence during the second and third week of October this year and extend to January in 2027.
Nyeri is among counties expected to start receiving the rains during the second and third week of October.
Others include Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Baringo, West Pokot and Narok among others.
The media is also required to come up with simple messaging on floods, landslides, lightning and diseases that local people in affected areas can understand.
Reporters have also been advised to report on mapped local hazards hotspots, conduct interviews with relevant government agencies and also produce local-language advisories for vulnerable and communities living in remote areas.
In the event of hazards, the journalists have been urged to track the rehabilitation of roads, bridges, schools, health facilities and water systems and wherever possible follow up on displaced households and progress on humanitarian assistance.
“Document lessons from affected communities and responders, report on reconstruction, mitigation projects and use of public resources and build a postseason evidence base to improve future climate-risk communication,” advises the report signed by KMSA acting Director General Dr. Charles Mugah.
The report has also tasked international partners, NGOs and Community Based Organizations to partner with Government agencies for effective response in tackling impacts from the El Nino rains.
The weatherman has already warned of possible risk of disease outbreak, including vector-borne diseases such as malaria, Rift Valley fever, yellow fever, chikungunya and cholera.
“The international partners, NGOs and CBOs should translate KMSA information into county, livelihood and value chain specific advisories, and simplify the message so users know what action to take and when. They should also strengthen crop and livestock surveillance and pre-position public health, and extension guidance,” adds the weatherman.
In terms of agriculture, the coming rain is expected to boost both food and livestock production in the country following a lackluster performance of the April-May-June long rains.
It is predicted that the rains will lead to improved agriculture, higher incomes for farmers and also sustained hydroelectricity generation due to water increase in power dams.
The OND rainfall is expected to be fairly well distributed in time and space, over several parts of the country except over Turkana and Samburu where the distribution is likely to be poor to fair.
This season will be marked by prolonged wet spells and occasional isolated storms over several parts of the country.
In terms of intensity, Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit and a few parts of West Pokot are predicted to receive near-average to above-average rainfall.
However, most parts of the country are expected to experience above -average rainfall for the period under review with the expected El Nino event expected to greatly influence the intensity of rain that will be recorded in many of the counties.
By Samuel Maina
