Get your blankets and umbrellas ready. The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a shivering forecast for the next five days, warning Nairobians and residents of Kiambu to brace for a wet and biting cold spell. With temperatures set to plummet to a fridge-like 5°C, the "Nairobi Winter" is arriving early.

The weatherman’s latest advisory paints a gloomy picture for the capital and its environs. While we usually complain about the heat in January, the skies have flipped the script. This unseasonal chill is not just an inconvenience; it is a health risk and a disruption to the daily hustle of the city.

The Forecast Details

According to the Met Dept, the "City in the Sun" will see highs of only 29°C—which sounds pleasant until you factor in the cloud cover and rain. But it is the nights that will bite. Lows of 5°C in the highlands of Kiambu mean that frost is a real possibility for tea farmers in Limuru and Tigoni.

• Rainfall Distribution: Expect intermittent heavy showers in the afternoons and evenings. The drainage systems in Nairobi’s CBD will likely be tested again, so watch out for the usual floods on Moi Avenue.
• Coastal Winds: It’s not just the highlands. The Coast region is on alert for strong winds exceeding 25 knots (approx. 46 km/h). Fishermen in Lamu and Mombasa have been warned to exercise caution as the ocean becomes rough.
• Northern Frontiers: Northern counties, usually dry, are also expecting strong winds, which could kick up dust storms and affect visibility for motorists.

Impact on the Mwananchi

For the mama mboga, this weather means spoilt produce if not covered well. For the boda boda rider, it means slippery roads and fewer customers willing to brave the rain. And for parents, it is a signal to bundle up the school-going kids in heavy sweaters to ward off the flu season that often accompanies these temperature drops.

Health experts are advising residents to keep warm and ensure good ventilation when using charcoal jikos indoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning—a silent killer during cold spells.

Climate Chaos?

This erratic weather pattern fits into the broader narrative of climate change affecting East Africa. One moment we are facing drought, the next we are shivering in January. It is a reminder that our agricultural calendar—and our wardrobes—need to be as adaptable as we are.

So, Nairobi, keep the gumboots at the door and the tea flask full. It’s going to be a cold week.