Maasai elders and weather experts have predicted rain in parts of Kajiado County between March and April 2026. This announcement offers hope to residents in the drought-stricken area. A traditional ritual took place on Thursday, involving the examination of a goat's intestines to forecast the weather.
Kajiado County is grappling with severe drought, listed by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) as one of the affected areas. Recent data shows over 64,300 households are impacted here, with the number of affected Kenyans rising from 2.1 million in January to 3.3 million in February. A total of 23 counties are hit, and the government has allocated Sh10 billion to address the crisis. Pastoralists have begun migrating with their livestock to neighboring counties in search of water and pasture.
On Thursday, Maasai elders conducted a ritual in Kajiado town to invoke rain. The 30-minute ceremony, led by 70-year-old Mzee Moses Ole Nkina, involved slaughtering a goat and inspecting its intestines. According to the elders, the slow blood flow in some vessels signaled light rain in southern areas, while its spread in others predicted above-average rainfall in Kajiado County and parts of the country.
Mzee Nkina stated, “The blood spread a lot in other parts of the vessels, indicating above-average rain in Kajiado County and other areas in the country,” though he did not specify the exact start date. Benson Lubanga, Director of Weather Forecasting in Kajiado, confirmed that the scientific forecast aligns with the traditional one. He noted that northern and western regions are expected to receive above-average rain, while Kajiado will see average levels. “We expect pastoralists to take note of this,” he added.
County Commissioner Michael Yator said the government is implementing emergency measures to prevent deaths from hunger due to the drought. This prediction has brought hope to residents facing water and food shortages.