Kenya Meteorological Department Dismisses Heat Wave Alert Circulating on Social Media

The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has dismissed a heat wave alert circulating on social media, saying it did not originate from the agency. KMD noted that the high temperatures currently being experienced across parts of the country are normal for the January–March period. In a statement on Monday, the Department urged Kenyans to ignore the information on the heat wave alert being passed across on social media. “KMD would like to clarify that the heat wave alert currently circulating on social media is not an official communication from KMD. We are aware of the message and urge members of the public to ignore it,” the department said . “As shown in KMD temperature climatology, January, February, and March are typically the hottest months in Kenya, and the warmer-than-average temperatures currently being experienced are normal for this period and consistent with the forecast." KMD said it will continue monitoring conditions and issue advisories when necessary through its official channels, urging the public not to share unverified weather information. In its latest weekly outlook for January 27 to February 2, the department said predominantly sunny and dry conditions are expected in most regions, with isolated light rainfall likely in the Highlands east and west of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Coast, and the southeastern lowlands. Average daytime temperatures above 30°C are forecast across the Coast, North-eastern and North-western Kenya, and parts of the southeastern lowlands, Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and Western Kenya. Some locations in the Central Highlands, the North and Central Rift Valley, Western Kenya, and areas near Mt. Kilimanjaro may record nighttime temperatures below 10°C. On Monday, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) warned that the Greater Horn of Africa remains highly vulnerable to climate variability and extreme weather events. The 72nd Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 72) officially opened in Nairobi on Monday. Speaking during the opening session, Mohamed Abdi Ware, Deputy Executive Secretary of IGAD, who was represented by Abdi Fidar, Director of the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre, said recurrent droughts, floods, and heat stress continue to pose serious socio-economic risks across the region, affecting food security, livelihoods, infrastructure, and overall stability among IGAD member states. “The Greater Horn of Africa remains one of the regions most vulnerable to climate variability and extremes,” Ware said. He noted that the challenges highlight the importance of GHACOF as a regional platform for building consensus on climate risks and coordinating early action. ICPAC highlighted progress made through collaboration with national meteorological agencies, sectoral ministries, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and development partners in improving regional climate prediction and user-oriented climate services.