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The weatherman has issued a warning about the current sunlight.
Dr David Gikungu, the head of the meteorological department, says Kenyans must now avoid the increasingly extreme afternoon sun.
They need to spend more time under shade or indoors in well-ventilated buildings.
He said temperatures this month will remain higher than average over the whole country, going into the extreme in northern Kenya.
“The expected high temperatures during the month in most parts of the country, may lead to heat stress and heat-related discomforts,” Dr Gikungu said.
Heat stress occurs when the body cannot get rid of excess heat. Most affected people will lose concentration and experience difficulty focusing on a task, while some may become irritable or sick.
In extreme cases, a person may faint and even die if not cooled down, World Health Organisation says.
“The public is therefore advised to hydrate appropriately and avoid working in the open, especially in the afternoons,” Dr Gikungu added, in a statement.
He gave the example of January where temperatures were higher than the average for that month in all of Met stations.
In the last week, average daytime temperatures in all stations remained above 30 degrees Celsius, which most people living in Nairobi and central highlands, and Rift Valley highlands, are not accustomed to.
Most affected are northern Kenya counties where temperatures remained above 35 degrees, rising to 38 in parts of Turkana and Samburu.
According to scientists, the sun's rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm, and Kenyans should limit exposure during these hours.
The sun usually sends energy to earth through visible light, infrared radiation that is felt as heat, and through rays of ultra-violet radiation that one cannot see or feel.
Public health specialist Dr Bernard Muia said over-exposure to all these can damage some organs in the body.
“Many people are also reporting sleep disturbances. Kenyans must especially take precautions to prevent dehydration, which can impair the functions of some body organs. For people with pre-existing conditions like kidney and renal problems, it can become worse. One may also get kidney and liver stones, and kidney failure,” Muia said.
Dr Muia is a former deputy director of medical services at the Ministry of Health and the former Health chief executive for Nairobi County.
He said too much exposure to the skin without protection can also lead to skin cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma, even in Africans.
The retina of the eye can be affected.
“People should stop exposing themselves or should get cream (sunscreen). Drive with sunglasses to protect your eyes. Wear clothes that are friendly to the weather,” he told the Star.
“Take a lot of water, about three litres in 24 hours, well-spaced out. Don’t take too much in the evening before sleep because it will interfere with your sleep as you may wake up often to use the bathroom.”
Dr Gikungu predicted that the current sunny and dry weather will prevail in February and part of March over several parts of the country.
“Rainfall is expected during the second half of March and in April, especially over the western sector, the central Highlands including Nairobi, the southeastern lowlands (such as Ukambani) and the Coastal regions,” he said.
He said counties in northern Kenya will remain dry until April when the rains will reach there.
Dusty conditions likely during the month may also provide favourable conditions for outbreaks of respiratory tract diseases, Dr Gikungu said.
“There may be an increase in malnutrition-related diseases, especially over the ASAL areas due to food scarcity. Relevant authorities are therefore advised to closely monitor the situation and provide food and food supplements to the most affected members of the community,” he said.
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