The prevailing cold weather has seen an increase in the number of respiratory complications reported at medical facilities in the country.
In a statement the Deputy Director in charge of forecasting services at the Kenya Meteorological Department Peter Ambenje says the drop in temperatures has been significant in Central, Nairobi and parts of the Rift Valley provinces.
Ambenje said night-time/early morning temperatures have dropped to below 10°C.
“This is below the critical value of 13°C necessary to create a cold chill,” said Ambenje.
Some of the Meteorological Stations which recorded temperatures below the critical value of 13°C include Kitale, Eldoret, Kericho, Nyahururu and Narok (in Rift Valley), Nyeri, Embu, Meru, and Thika (in Central Province), Dagoretti, Wilson Airport and Moi airbase (in Nairobi).
“The lowest minimum temperature of 6.2°C was recorded in Narok while in Nyahururu they dropped to 6.4°C,” Dr Amonth said.
Kiambu District Hospital has recorded a rise in the number of cases of respiratory disease infections while asthmatic cases have been exacerbated.
Kiambu District Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Patrick Amoth asked asthmatics to seek medical attention once they notice difficulties in breathing during the season to avoid complications.
The cold weather is as a result of the cold winds blowing from the southern hemisphere that is currently experiencing winter coupled by the cloud cover that is not allowing the suns rays through.
Source: Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
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