28/08/2026
🌧️ FARMERS, PREPARE NOW FOR THE EL NIÑO RAINS! 🌧️
🌱 DON'T WAIT FOR THE FLOODS — PREPARE YOUR FARM TODAY
The 2026 October–December rainfall season is expected to bring wetter-than-normal conditions across large parts of Kenya, with prolonged wet spells and occasional heavy storms.
Current climate outlooks indicate that about 80% of Kenya could experience above-average rainfall, increasing the risk of flooding, flash floods, landslides, soil waterlogging and crop losses.
⚠️ AREAS THAT SHOULD BE ON HIGH ALERT
Farmers in and around the following regions should take early precautions:
📍 Lake Victoria Basin & Western Kenya
Kisumu, Siaya, Busia, Homa Bay, Migori, Kakamega, Bungoma and surrounding areas.
📍 Rift Valley & Central Kenya
Nakuru, Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Kiambu, Murang'a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua and neighbouring areas.
📍 Nairobi & Urban/Peri-Urban Areas
Particularly farms and settlements around rivers, drainage channels, low-lying areas and flood plains.
📍 Eastern & North-Eastern Kenya
Parts of Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, Kitui, Makueni, Garissa and Tana River should also monitor local forecasts and river levels.
📍 Coastal Kenya
Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Taita-Taveta and surrounding areas face risks associated with heavy rainfall, runoff and flooding.
The risk will not be uniform within a county. Farmers close to rivers, valleys, flood plains, poorly drained soils and steep slopes should be particularly vigilant. Recent 2026 flooding already affected numerous counties, demonstrating how quickly excessive rainfall can cause agricultural losses.
🌾 WHAT SHOULD FARMERS DO NOW?
1️⃣ IMPROVE FARM DRAINAGE
Before the rains intensify:
✅ Clean drainage channels
✅ Open blocked waterways
✅ Construct diversion channels where necessary
✅ Avoid planting directly in natural water paths
✅ Raise beds for vegetables
✅ Provide adequate drainage in greenhouses and shadenets
✅ Protect farm roads and access routes from runoff
Remember: Water is an asset when controlled — but a disaster when it is allowed to accumulate.
2️⃣ PROTECT CROPS FROM WATERLOGGING
Excessive soil moisture can cause:
❌ Root suffocation
❌ Root rot
❌ Nutrient leaching
❌ Fungal and bacterial diseases
❌ Poor crop establishment
❌ Reduced yields
❌ Crop death
Farmers should consider raised beds, proper spacing, drainage channels and appropriate soil-management practices depending on the crop and soil type.
3️⃣ PROTECT YOUR SOIL
Heavy rain can wash away valuable topsoil.
🌱 Maintain appropriate ground cover
🌱 Use mulch where suitable
🌱 Establish grass/vegetative strips on slopes
🌱 Use terraces and contour structures where appropriate
🌱 Avoid leaving highly erodible soil bare
🌱 Stabilise areas experiencing concentrated runoff
4️⃣ PROTECT FARM STRUCTURES
Inspect your:
🏠 Greenhouses
🏠 Shadenets
🏠 Stores
🏠 Packhouses
🏠 Irrigation infrastructure
🏠 Water tanks
🏠 Dams and ponds
🏠 Fences and farm roads
Repair weak structures before the heavy rains arrive.
5️⃣ HARVEST AND STORE WATER 💧
This is extremely important.
Don't look at El Niño rains only as a threat. Look at them as an opportunity to secure water for the next dry period.
After a period of excessive rainfall, farmers may experience a return to drier conditions. Therefore, every farm should have a strategy for capturing and storing available water.
💧 Harvest roof water
💧 Construct/expand water pans and dams
💧 Install storage tanks
💧 Harvest controlled farm runoff
💧 Improve water conveyance systems
💧 Consider lined reservoirs where appropriate
RAINWATER HARVESTING TODAY = WATER SECURITY TOMORROW.
🌦️ PLAN FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON — NOT JUST THE RAINS
Farmers should think beyond flooding.
The objective is to move from:
🌧️ EXCESS WATER → 💧 STORAGE → 🌱 PRODUCTION → ☀️ DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS
Water captured during the rainy season can become your most valuable farm resource when rainfall declines.
🧑🌾 GOKO HORTICULTURE IS READY TO WALK WITH YOU
At Goko Horticulture, we are ready to support farmers before, during and after the rainy season.
Our services include:
🌱 Agronomy & Farm Extension Services
💧 Farm Water Management & Irrigation Solutions
🚰 Water Storage & Rainwater Harvesting Solutions
🏞️ Dam & Water-Pan Solutions
🌿 Crop & Soil Management
🏗️ Greenhouse & Shadenet Solutions
📦 Crop Storage & Post-Harvest Solutions
🧑🌾 Farm Planning & Technical Consultancy
We can help you assess your farm, identify potential risks and develop practical measures to protect your crops and farm investment.
🛒 OUR ONLINE SHOP IS STILL OPEN!
Need agricultural inputs?
You can order seeds, fertilisers, crop protection products and other agricultural inputs through our online shop.
🌐 www.gokohorticulture.com
📞 0706932804
📍 Goko Horticulture — Nanyuki & Nakuru
🌱 FARM SMART. HARVEST WATER. PROTECT YOUR CROP.
Don't wait until the water is already in your farm.
Start preparing NOW.
Follow Goko Horticulture for practical agronomy advice, farm water solutions and agricultural updates.
