Dry earth near the shores of Lake Turkana. [Photo|JF Maion]
The Kenya Meteorological Department has predicted record high temperatures beginning early next year.
Peter Ambenje, the head of meteorological services says that the current rains would cease by end of next week in most parts of the country followed by dry weather which may lead to crop failure.
“The January-February 2018 period is expected to be sunny and dry with very high daytime temperatures,” Ambenje said in on Monday during a monthly forecast as quoted by the Star.
Ambenje advised that contingency measures should be enhanced to avert any deaths due to lack of food and water in the hot January-February period.
He said the October-November rains were good and above average in most places.
The rains are likely to continue until Christmas only in western Kenya, central Rift Valley and parts of South-eastern Kenya.
"The good (October-November) rainfall performance over most parts of the country resulted in good crop performance over most agricultural areas. However, these benefits will diminish toward January, especially in northern Kenya," he added.
Ambenje said while farmers in the agricultural areas can expect a good harvest, northern Kenya would likely continue in drought.
“Foliage and pasture conditions in the pastoral areas of Northern, Northwestern and Northeastern Kenya are expected to slightly diminish due to the expected sunny and dry conditions in December,” he said.
Most global forecast patterns also suggest enhanced warming in the next five years because of the high levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.