Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has issued a formal clarification after a heat wave alert circulated widely on social media, stating that the message did not originate from the agency and should be disregarded.
The department said the information shared online was inaccurate and not based on any official forecast, urging the public to rely solely on verified channels for weather updates.
In its January 26 statement, KMD noted that January, February, and March are historically the hottest months across most parts of Kenya, and the current temperature patterns fall within expected seasonal ranges.
KMD Clarifies on Heat Wave Alert
According to the department, warmer-than-average conditions being experienced in several regions are consistent with climatological trends for this time of year and do not constitute a heat wave emergency.
Climatology graphs shared by the agency show that maximum temperatures typically peak between January and March, with February recording the highest long-term average maximum.
The mean temperature charts also place the early-year period among the hottest in the climate cycle.
KMD has also released a detailed forecast covering January 27 to 2nd February 2026.
The forecast shows predominantly sunny, dry conditions across most of the country.
The agency notes that rainfall is expected to be low, though isolated light showers may occur in a few areas.
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The Highlands east and west of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley floor, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Coastal region, and the south‑eastern lowlands are the main areas where brief showers may be recorded.
KMD Issues Weather Forecast
The department forecasts daytime maximum temperatures above 30°C in the Coastal region, North‑eastern Kenya, North‑western Kenya, parts of the south‑eastern lowlands, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and Western Kenya.
A temperature distribution map shows large parts of northern and eastern Kenya falling within the 31°C to 35°C range, consistent with normal seasonal heating in arid and semi‑arid areas.
Some sections, particularly in the far north, are mapped in the above‑36°C category, aligning with typical hot‑season patterns.
Night‑time minimum temperatures are expected to fall below 10°C in some parts of the Central Highlands, the North and Central Rift Valley, Western Kenya, and areas near Mount Kilimanjaro.
These include parts of the Central Highlands such as Nyeri, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Murang’a, and northern Kiambu.
In the North and Central Rift Valley, the cooler pockets cover areas around Nakuru, Nandi Hills, Kericho, Bomet, Baringo highlands, and Uasin Gishu, including Eldoret and the surrounding plateau.
In Western Kenya, the temperatures below 10°C are likely in elevated locations such as Kakamega’s forest belt, Vihiga highlands, and parts of Bungoma’s upper zones near Mount Elgon.
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The coldest conditions appear near Mount Kilimanjaro, affecting areas around Loitokitok and the eastern slopes of the mountain, where altitude drives temperatures down into the 6°C to 10°C band.
Fake Heat Wave Alerts Online
KMD has assured the public that it is monitoring all weather conditions and will issue further updates through official channels whenever necessary.
The department encouraged Kenyans to disregard unverified messages and rely only on its authorized communications for accurate, timely weather information.
The clarification follows recent concerns triggered by the false heat wave alert, which circulated widely online and caused confusion about the expected severity of temperatures.
The agency warned that the fake alert has spread misinformation and reminded the public that any weather communication lacking KMD branding or published outside its official platforms should be treated as false.
KMD has insisted that, although the country is experiencing high temperatures, the levels remain within the normal range for this the of year.
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