Monday 2 June 2025 {HMC} The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that cases of asthma, pneumonia, flu, and the common cold might spike in Nairobi County and Highlands East of the Rift Valley due to the expected cold conditions the regions are expected to experience in the next three months.
In a statement, the weatherman has urged residents in these counties, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Kiambu, Tharaka Nithi, Laikipia, and Nyandarua, to adhere to the directives from the Ministry of Health and dress warmly to shield themselves from the diseases.
The weatherman, in a statement on Saturday, May 31, has cautioned the public against using charcoal jikos in poorly ventilated houses.
“Respiratory diseases like asthma, pneumonia, flu, and the common cold are likely to increase over Nairobi County and the Highlands East of the Rift Valley due to the expected cold conditions,” the statement read.
“The public in these areas is advised to dress warmly and follow advice from the Ministry of Health. They are also advised to avoid using charcoal jikos in poorly ventilated houses, as they may produce carbon monoxide gas that is lethal when inhaled,” it added.
Kenya Met has further warned that there might be an increase in Malaria cases in the coastal region due to the warmer-than-average conditions that are expected in the region during this period.
The transmission of Malaria is, however, expected to remain “normal” over the Lake Victoria Basin, the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, and the Northwestern regions, according to Kenya Met.
Northeastern region residents have also been cautioned that cases of respiratory diseases and eye infections are likely to also accelerate in the next three months due to the windy and dry conditions the region is expected to receive.
“Health authorities are therefore advised to preposition and redistribute medical supplies and insect-treated nets in the affected areas,” it stated.
According to the weatherman, most of the country is expected to receive near to above-average rainfall between June and August.
Kenya Met has warned that low-lying areas in the Lake Victoria region may experience floods, while residents in the highlands West of the Rift Valley are expected to receive lightning strikes. Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot might experience landslides during this period.
Residents in these areas have been urged to remain vigilant and refrain from driving through moving water, in addition to not taking shelter near metallic structures or under trees. Authorities in these areas have further been encouraged to erect the necessary measures to mitigate possible risks.
Residents in Highlands West of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, Central, and South Rift Valley have been encouraged to take advantage of the rains and focus on crop production in collaboration with the guidance of relevant agricultural authorities due to the adequate rains the regions are expected to receive.
Motorists, on the other hand, have been further advised to remain vigilant due to the expected foggy conditions on roads, especially along the Nairobi-Nakuru road. Kenya Met has further warned that the foggy conditions might also disrupt operations at the Wilson and Jomo Kenyatta International Airports.
The weatherman has encouraged residents who will receive rainfall to adopt rainwater harvesting practices to ensure that their water reserves are well secured. Residents in dry areas, on the other hand, have been urged to conserve and use the available water efficiently.
By Ken Muthomi
