Tag: Nairobi County news

El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that this is likely to lead to a surge in global temperatures and disruptive weather and climate patterns.

In Kenya, El Niño is expected to bring heavy rains from September or October, which could lead to flooding, flash floods, and landslides. There is also a risk of disease outbreaks, such as malaria and dengue fever.

WMO says that the probability of the El Niño event continuing during the second half of 2023 is 90% and is expected to be at least moderate in strength. This means that the effects of El Niño are likely to be felt in Kenya for several months.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has said that El Niño is expected to occur during the October-December season. During El Niño, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than average. This can lead to changes in weather patterns, including increased rainfall in some areas and drought in others.

In Kenya, El Niño is typically associated with heavy rains in the south and west of the country. This could lead to flooding in these areas, as well as landslides in areas that are prone to them. There is also a risk of disease outbreaks, such as malaria and dengue fever, as mosquitoes are more likely to breed in wet conditions.

WMO has urged governments around the world to take steps to prepare for the impacts of El Niño. This includes making sure that people are aware of the risks and that they have access to early warning systems. It is also important to take steps to mitigate the effects of El Niño, such as by improving drainage systems and by providing mosquito nets to people at risk of malaria.

The effects of El Niño can be significant, but they are not always predictable. In 1987, for example, the OND season was an El Niño event that did not result in heavy rainfall over Kenya. However, in 2015, the El Niño index was higher than that of 1997 but the country did not experience as much rainfall as it did in 1997.

WMO is monitoring the situation and will be providing timely updates.

A government survey has found that counties in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) have the highest fertility rates in Kenya. The survey, which was released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), found that Mandera has the highest fertility rate at 7.7%, followed by West Pokot with 6.9%, Wajir with 6.8%, and Marsabit with 6.3%.

The survey also found that Nairobi has the lowest fertility rate in the country, at 2.6%. This is followed by Nyamira with 2.7%, Machakos with 2.8%, and Kiambu with 2.9%.

The high fertility rates in ASAL counties are attributed to a number of factors, including illiteracy, lack of access to modern contraceptives, and cultural norms that encourage large families.

The survey also found that the overall fertility rate in Kenya has declined significantly in recent years. In 1989, the average woman had 6.7 children. This number has since declined to 3.4 children in 2022.

The decline in fertility rates is attributed to a number of factors, including increased access to education and family planning services, as well as changes in social and economic conditions.

The survey also found that fertility rates vary significantly depending on a woman’s level of education and wealth. Women with no education have an average of 6.3 children, while women with more than secondary education have an average of 2.8 children.

Similarly, women in the lowest wealth quintile have an average of 5.3 children, while women in the highest wealth quintile have an average of 2.7 children.

The survey’s findings suggest that Kenya is making progress in reducing fertility rates. However, there are still significant disparities in fertility rates between different groups of women. These disparities need to be addressed in order to ensure that all women have access to the resources they need to plan their families.