The year 2024 was Kenya’s hottest year on record, reflecting global climate trends. Rainfall was highly variable: western and central highlands received above-average rains, while most other regions were drier than normal. The March–May long rains brought severe flooding, while the October–December short rains were below average, leading to worsening drought conditions.

These extremes had major socio-economic impacts. Floods displaced over 100,000 households, destroyed crops and infrastructure, and caused damages exceeding KSh 400 million in coastal regions alone. Conversely, poor short rains worsened food insecurity, with the number of food-insecure people doubling from 1 million in July 2024 to 2.15 million by February 2025. Public health challenges also rose due to disease outbreaks (cholera, malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis), while the education sector suffered from submerged schools and health risks to children.

On the positive side, hydropower generation improved in 2024 due to above-normal rains, reducing reliance on expensive thermal power. However, below-normal rainfall late in the year and forecasts of dry conditions in 2025 pose risks to future energy output.

Looking ahead to 2025, forecasts indicate warmer-than-average temperatures nationwide and below-average rainfall in northeastern and coastal Kenya, with significant implications for agriculture, water resources, health, and disaster preparedness.