Kenyans should brace for heavy rainfall according to the Kenya Meteorological Department (MET) prediction, which says the heavy rains will affect the entire country in about a week’s time.

This was announced in a statement by the MET department on Tuesday read by the Director, Kenya Meteorological Department Stella Aura.

In the statement, MET listed East Rift Valley Highlands, West Rift Valley Highlands, Central Rift, South Rift, the Coast region, Lake Victoria Basin, North-Western Kenya, South Eastern lowland and the Eastern part of Kenya as areas that will receive heavy downpour.

Central Kenya region, Lake basin and highlands of Rift Valley are expected to experience between moderate to high rainfall of about 50mm to 120mm during the period.

Counties found within the above regions include Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Nyamira, Kisii, Baringo, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Narok, Nakuru, Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma and Vihiga counties.

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According to the MET department, Laikipia, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a, Meru, Embu, Kiambu, Tharaka and Nairobi counties fall under the regions that will experience high rainfall.

Marsabit, Mandera Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, Kitui, Makueni Machakos, Kajiado, Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Tana River, Kwale and Lamu Counties were predicted to receive between low-to-moderate rainfall.

Drought-stricken counties such as Samburu and Turkana counties will experience below-average rainfall.

The MET department also cautioned residents living in the Lake Victoria Basin and the Highlands West of the Rift Valley of flash floods throughout the month of April.

Counties that are likely to be affected by the flash floods according to the MET statement include Kisumu, Bungoma, Kakamega and Bungoma counties.

“Flash floods are very likely to occur in the Lake Victoria Basin, the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Central and South Rift Valley, and parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi County),” MET said.

The weatherman warned residents of some counties such as Kisii, Kisumu, Bungoma, Kakamega and Nandi counties that those regions may experience lightning strikes and thunderstorms.

The MET department advised residents in those counties to avoid sheltering near metallic structures or trees.

"The public is advised not to shelter near metallic structures or under trees to pre-empt loss of life," MET warned.

This year, the season of long rains has been delayed causing farmers in some regions to complain and suffer some losses because they planted crops but the rains are either yet to fall or are inadequate.