Vihiga: Vihiga County is expected to experience above-average rainfall from September 2026 through January 2027, with the peak of the enhanced El Ni±o rains forecast between October and November, the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority (KMSA) has said. Speaking to the Kenya News Agency (KNA) on Thursday, Vihiga County Director of KMSA Fredrick Etemesi said the county could begin receiving persistent seasonal rainfall in September, with November expected to be the principal peak month.
According to Kenya News Agency, Etemesi noted that although November was projected to record the highest rainfall, heavy rainfall episodes could occur outside the monthly peak due to the El Ni±o-enhanced conditions. He advised planning purposes in Vihiga to use September as the expected onset, November as the principal peak month, while remaining prepared for significant heavy-rain episodes from October through December.
Etemesi highlighted that the rainfall could extend into January 2027, with the distribution expected to be fair to good, urging farmers to factor the residual rains into their harvesting, drying, and storage plans. He stressed that residual rainfall could continue into January, which is important when planning harvesting, drying, and storage. Farmers should not interpret the end of December as necessarily the end of the wet period.
The forecast points to prolonged wet spells, occasional isolated heavy and intense storms, flash flooding, landslides in vulnerable areas, waterlogging, and possible disruption of roads and other infrastructure. Etemesi stated that the expected rains could provide favorable conditions for agriculture, particularly maize and beans farming, if farmers properly manage the risks associated with excessive moisture.
For maize farmers, Etemesi advised taking advantage of the expected availability of soil moisture but cautioned against planting solely because of isolated rainfall events in September. He urged farmers to plant certified, locally recommended, and preferably early- to medium-maturing varieties, based on advice from agricultural extension officers. Farmers should also avoid waterlogged areas, improve drainage in low-lying fields, apply fertilizer and manure according to soil and extension recommendations, and prepare for increased weed growth occasioned by abundant moisture.
Etemesi further advised maize farmers to plan early for post-harvest drying, noting that prolonged wet conditions could make it difficult to dry the crop properly. On beans, he said the crop could benefit from adequate moisture but was more sensitive than maize to waterlogging and excessive rainfall. Farmers should plant on well-drained fields and avoid poorly drained valley bottoms. They should not plant too early on the basis of a single rainfall event and should monitor for fungal diseases and other moisture-related pests and diseases.
He emphasized that the expected El Ni±o rains presented an opportunity for good crop establishment and potentially higher yields but cautioned that excessive rainfall could also cause waterlogging, disease outbreaks, soil erosion, crop lodging, and post-harvest losses. On preparedness, Etemesi called for a multi-agency, last-mile early-warning approach to ensure timely dissemination of weather information to residents.
Etemesi recommended collaboration between the County Government, KMSA, National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), Kenya Red Cross, health authorities, agricultural officers, chiefs, and village administrators in conducting countywide public awareness campaigns. At the ward level, simplified rainfall forecasts and impact-based advisories should be disseminated through chiefs, assistant chiefs, village elders, community health workers, and agricultural extension officers.
He also encouraged the extensive use of local radio stations to reach residents who may have limited access to smartphones and internet services, noting that weather information should be communicated in English, Kiswahili, and appropriate local languages. Agricultural officers should translate weather forecasts into practical guidance for farmers, including decisions on planting, crop varieties, drainage, disease surveillance, harvesting, and drying.
Etemesi further advocated the use of SMS and WhatsApp alerts to issue timely warnings whenever heavy rainfall, flooding, or thunderstorms are expected. He said schools, churches, markets, and public meetings should also be used as important channels for reaching residents who may not regularly access online weather forecasts.
Etemesi called for the identification and mapping of flood and landslide hotspots before the peak rains begin, including vulnerable villages, roads, bridges, rivers, and steep slopes. He said communities living in such areas should receive impact-based warnings rather than generic alerts on heavy rainfall. He stressed that the seasonal forecast should not be treated as a one-off warning, noting that KMSA would continue updating forecasts on the onset, distribution, and cessation of the rains as the season approaches.
He urged residents, farmers, and relevant agencies to remain alert and regularly follow official weather updates to minimize the potential impacts of the enhanced rainfall.
