Kenya is a country of many different landscapes, ranging from coastlines washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean to arid savannahs and snow-capped mountains. Each of these regions has its own unique climate, making it difficult to generalize Kenyan weather.

Despite the diversity of Kenya’s climates, several rules can be applied universally. Kenya’s weather is dictated by monsoon winds, which help to make the high temperatures of the coast more bearable. The winds also influence the country’s rainy seasons, the longest of which lasts from April to June. There is a second, shorter rainy season in November and December. Of the intervening dry months, the December to March period is the hottest; while the July to October period is the coolest. Generally, rainstorms in Kenya are intense but brief, with sunny weather in between. 

Different Regions in Kenya

Nairobi and the Central Highlands

Nairobi is situated in Kenya’s Central Highlands region and enjoys the pleasant weather for most of the year. Average annual temperatures fluctuate between 52 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit (11 to 26 degrees Celsius), giving Nairobi a similar climate to California. Like most of the country, Nairobi has two rainy seasons, although they start a little earlier here than they do elsewhere. The long rainy season lasts from March to May, while the short rainy season lasts from October to November. The sunniest time of year is December to March, while June to September is cooler and often more overcast.