Early rains in Marsabit not yet confirmation of OND season onset.

By Samuel Kosgei.

Rainfall being experienced in parts of Marsabit County is not yet an indication that the October to December 2026 rainy season has officially started.

Marsabit County Director for Meteorological Services John Nguyo says the rains currently being recorded in Moyale, Sololo, Marsabit town, Hurri Hills, Mount Marsabit and areas near the Ethiopian border are largely pre-onset or off-season rains.

Nguyo says the onset of the OND season is determined by specific rainfall thresholds and persistence, with rains expected to be sufficient, widespread and sustained without a prolonged dry spell.

He says the early rains are being influenced by increasing moisture from the Indian Ocean, terrain effects, the Ethiopian Highlands and localized thunderstorms.

According to Nguyo, elevated areas such as Mount Marsabit, Moyale, Sololo and Hurri Hills tend to receive rainfall earlier because moist air rises over the high terrain, resulting in cloud formation and rainfall.

He says the current rainfall indicates increasing atmospheric moisture as the county approaches the OND season, but the official onset will only be confirmed once the rains become widespread and sustained and meet the required criteria.

Nguyo says lowland areas including North Horr, Maikona, Dukana, Kargi, Illeret and the Chalbi Basin may remain largely dry, as the current rainfall is mainly influenced by localized weather conditions rather than county-wide seasonal circulation.