Rainy evening in Kenya

March to May is the season of the long rains. It is not uncommon for it to rain every day, usually in the late afternoon or evening. But then there may be a couple of rain free days too. This rain is significant as the farmers cultivate and plant crops on their small shambas (farms) during February and March in anticipation of the rain. Families will plant those foods they eat: maize, beans, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins. About the time the rains stop, the plants are ready to harvest. Then the process starts over again; they are able to harvest twice a year.

Last week we had a spectacular thunderstorm blow through Kisumu. We dashed upstairs and took the above video; the noise you hear is that of the rain pelting the metal roof. This was a more vigorous storm than most and was reminiscent of Okinawan storms.