January is one of the driest months in
Kenya, characterised by a significant drop in precipitation compared to the short rainy season of the preceding months,
November and
December. In Nairobi, January rainfall averages barely 50mm (1.97"), a significant reduction from the 150mm (5.91") average observed in November.
Temperature-wise, Nairobi, the capital and one of the highest cities in Africa, experiences mild conditions. The mercury typically fluctuates between 11°C (51.8°F) during the cooler early morning hours to a comfortable 25°C (77°F) in the afternoon. This represents a slight increase from December temperatures, giving a gentle welcome to the warmer months ahead.
January's warm and dry conditions make it an ideal time for outdoor activities. Wildlife parks such as the Maasai Mara and Amboseli National Park provide excellent game viewing opportunities as animals congregate around water sources. On the Kenyan coast, cities like Mombasa experience higher temperatures, typically ranging from 23°C (73.4°F) to 31°C (87.8°F), and the Indian Ocean waters are invitingly warm, making it an attractive destination for beach lovers.
In contrast, the semi-arid regions in the north, including cities like Marsabit, experience significantly hotter conditions in January. Here, temperatures can soar up to 35°C (95°F) during the day, making it the hottest area in the country during this period.
Overall, the weather in January offers a respite from the rain and marks the transition into the warmer months of the year, making it an attractive time for tourism across the country. Despite being one of the hottest months in northern Kenya, the rest of the country enjoys milder temperatures, providing an agreeable climate for a variety of activities.
- Nairobi - January »
January and February, with an average of 9.6h of sunshine, are months with the most sunshine in Nairobi, Kenya. In Nairobi in January, it is raining for 12.3 days, with typically 28mm (1.1") of accumulated precipitation. - Mombasa - January »
January, May, September through December, with an average relative humidity of 77%, are most humid months in Mombasa, Kenya. In January, the average heat index, which takes the relative humidity and factors it into the air temperature reading, is estimated at 40°C (104°F). - Nakuru - January »
On the first day of January in Nakuru, Kenya, sunrise is at 06:34 and sunset at 18:43. January through May, August through December, with an average maximum UV index of 5, are months with the highest UV index in Nakuru, Kenya. - Eldoret - January »
In Eldoret, in January, during 7.3 rainfall days, 34mm (1.34") of precipitation is typically accumulated. On the first day of January in Eldoret sunrise is at 06:39 and sunset at 18:45. - Kitale - January »
On the first day of January in Kitale sunrise is at 06:41 and sunset at 18:45. January and February, with an average of 9.8h of sunshine, are months with the most sunshine in Kitale, Kenya. - Malindi - January »
The months with the highest humidity in Malindi are January, February, October and November, with an average relative humidity of 77%. The months with the highest UV index in Malindi are January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 7. - Garissa - January »
In Garissa during January, the rain falls for 5 days and regularly aggregates up to 13mm (0.51") of precipitation. January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 7, are months with the lowest UV index in Garissa. - Kakamega - January »
January and November, with an average of 12h and 6min of daylight, are months with the shortest days in Kakamega, Kenya. The months with the shortest days in Kakamega are January and November, with an average of 12h and 6min of daylight. - Kapenguria - January »
In Kapenguria, in January, during 5.1 rainfall days, 19mm (0.75") of precipitation is typically accumulated. On the last day of January, in Kapenguria, sunrise is at 06:50 and sunset at 18:54 EAT. - Bungoma - January »
In Bungoma, in January, during 12.2 rainfall days, 52mm (2.05") of precipitation is typically accumulated. January through March, with an average maximum UV index of 6, are months with the highest UV index in Bungoma, Kenya.