Weather Authority Warns Public of Fake Heat Wave Alert, Advises on Seasonal Conditions
The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has moved swiftly to dispel a false heat wave alert that began circulating widely on social media this week. In an official statement released on Monday, January 26, 2026, the department clarified that the alarming message did not originate from them and urged the public to ignore it entirely.
“This is a reminder that members of the public should rely only on official KMD information and avoid sharing unverified weather messages,” the department stressed, cautioning that such false alerts can create unnecessary panic and confusion.
The clarification comes as much of Kenya experiences warmer-than-average daytime temperatures. However, KMD officials were quick to note that this is entirely normal seasonal weather. According to the department’s long-term climate records, January, February, and March are historically the hottest months of the year in the country. The conditions being felt now are consistent with both typical seasonal patterns and KMD’s official forecasts.
Looking ahead to the week of January 27th through February 2nd, the weather service predicts predominantly sunny and dry conditions across most of the nation. However, isolated pockets of light rainfall are possible in specific areas including the Highlands east and west of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley itself, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Coastal region, and the south-eastern lowlands.
Temperatures will follow a pattern of hot days and significantly cooler nights in several regions. Daytime highs are expected to soar above 30°C in the Coastal region, North-eastern and North-western Kenya, the south-eastern lowlands, and parts of the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and Western Kenya. In contrast, nighttime temperatures are forecast to drop sharply, potentially falling below 10°C in parts of the Central Highlands, the North and Central Rift Valley, Western Kenya, and the areas surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro.
In light of this forecast, KMD issued practical guidance for residents. People in areas anticipating high daytime heat are advised to stay well-hydrated and limit prolonged exposure to the sun. Those in regions expecting chilly nights should take appropriate measures to keep warm.
The department reiterated that all official warnings and advisories are communicated exclusively through its verified social media accounts—notably @MeteoKenya on X—its official website, and authorized media partners. They have called on media outlets and community leaders to help curb misinformation by sharing only these verified updates.
KMD confirmed it is working closely with other government agencies to continuously monitor weather conditions and will issue official advisories if necessary. By setting the record straight, the meteorological service aims to prevent the spread of false information and ensure Kenyans can make safe and informed decisions based on trustworthy weather reporting.
