El Nino: Hailstorm destroys tea farms in Kericho County

Heavy hailstorm wreaked havoc on tea farms in Kericho County, leaving hundreds of farmers in the Chelilis, Getarwet, Bargero and Kaminjewet villages with significant losses. The storm, which struck on October 30, 2026, persisted for about three hours, casting hailstones that obliterated crops and damaged property. Motorists had to halt their vehicles temporarily as the hailstones fell, while farmers witnessed their livelihoods vanish before their eyes.

Farmers are now pleading with the government to deploy the Disaster Management Department and the Ministry of Agriculture to evaluate the extent of the damage and provide support to affected households. Abraham Kirui, a local farmer, expressed concern over the impact on traditional livelihoods, stating, "We have a lot of farmers and those who are black plucking green out, tea. No space now to do any other job."

The storm not only affected the farms but also damaged households, livestock, and property. Purity Kirui, another farmer, lamented the destruction of recently planted trees and crops, as well as the loss of poultry. She added, "Everything has been destroyed. Our beans, coffee, mango trees, everything is gone. We can't find any means of making a living."

As Kenya anticipates the October-December 2026 rainy season, meteorologists predict above-average rainfall across several regions. El Niño has intensified to very strong levels, and its combination with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole is expected to bring excessive rainfall to the Greater Horn of Africa. While increased rainfall could bolster agricultural production, overabundant rainfall could result in flooding, crop devastation, and livestock losses.

The situation highlights concerns about the timing of the expected rains, as Kenya has experienced inconsistent rainfall distribution in different areas.