KMA Warns of Rough Seas as Coast Braces for Heavy Rains

People living and working along Kenya’s coast have been urged to prepare for potentially dangerous sea conditions over the coming months, as authorities also step up measures against flooding.

The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has issued a safety advisory covering the period from September to December 2026, warning of strong winds, rough seas, high waves, heavy rainfall and reduced visibility.

The warning carries particular weight for fishermen, boat operators, passengers and coastal communities whose daily lives depend on the ocean.

KMA said deteriorating conditions could make it dangerous for vessels and people operating at sea or along the coastline.

“The conditions may include strong winds, rough seas, high waves, heavy rainfall and reduced visibility which pose a risk to vessels and persons undertaking activities at sea and along the coastline,” the authority said in its notice.

KMA tells boat operators when to stay ashore

KMA has urged members of the public not to venture into the sea when conditions become unsafe.

Fishermen and others who depend on the ocean for their livelihoods have been advised to postpone activities that can wait until the weather improves.

Boat owners and operators have also been asked to ensure their vessels are properly secured whether they are sailing, anchored or moored.

Passengers and crew should wear life jackets whenever they are on board.

Vessels already at sea have been advised to keep checking official weather updates and move to safe shelter when conditions deteriorate.

The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) provides regular marine forecasts covering wind speeds, wave heights and sea conditions. Its latest seven-day marine forecast covers September 23 to 29, highlighting the importance of checking short-term conditions rather than relying only on a seasonal warning.

KMA has also asked members of the public to report maritime emergencies to the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC) on 0737 719 414 or 0721 368 313.

Warning comes as Mombasa battles flooding

The maritime alert comes as parts of Mombasa have already experienced flooding.

Areas including Ziwa la Ng’ombe, Inuka, Railway and Ziwani have reported flooding, with water disrupting movement and access to some services.

The situation has pushed the Mombasa County Government to bring forward preparations for the heavier rainfall expected later in the year.

Governor Abdulswamad Nassir announced plans to deploy 3,000 young people across the county’s six sub-counties to help clear blocked drains, culverts and waterways.

The teams are expected to focus on known flood hotspots, low-lying areas, markets and major drainage corridors. The county says the recruits will receive safety training, protective equipment and tools.

The county has also restricted the mixing of sand, ballast and cement at construction sites.

Nassir said construction materials left near roads can be washed into drainage channels, worsening flooding when heavy rains arrive.

Authorities prepare for October rains

Mombasa's preparations are part of a wider response to forecasts of heavier rainfall later in the year.

Nassir has said the county expects the more intense rains to begin around the second week of October. He described recent downpours as an early test of the county's drainage system rather than the main rainfall event yet to come.

The county has also identified several areas considered vulnerable to flooding and has been mapping them as part of its preparedness plans.

That means the risks facing coastal communities over the next few months are not limited to the sea.

For families living in low-lying neighbourhoods, heavy rainfall can bring flooding on land, while strong winds and high waves create a separate danger for people at sea.

Public urged to rely on official alerts

KMA has stressed that the conditions will not necessarily remain dangerous throughout the entire September-to-December period.

Instead, maritime users are being asked to monitor changing conditions and act when official warnings indicate that it is unsafe to go out.

For fishermen and boat operators, that could mean delaying a trip. For passengers, it means wearing a life jacket and following instructions from crew. For people living close to the shoreline, it means paying attention to warnings about high waves, strong winds and heavy rainfall.

KMA and KMD remain the key official sources for maritime weather and safety information.

With the rainy season approaching, authorities are urging coastal communities to treat the warnings as a call for preparation rather than waiting for dangerous conditions to arrive.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.