On this page
01. What the forecast means for your security systems02. Gate motor checklist03. Electric fence checklist04. CCTV checklist05. Lightning and power cuts06. FAQ
The Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average short rains over about 80% of the country this October to December, starting in the second and third weeks of October in most areas. Storms bring three risks to security systems: water getting into controllers and cable joints, surges from lightning and power returning, and longer power cuts that leave gates and cameras running on batteries. A one-hour check before the rains catches most of it.
Key takeaways
- Check the gate motor battery first: in a power cut it is the only thing opening your gate.
- Seal controller boxes, junction boxes and cable joints; water and insects get in during the rains.
- Clear the sliding-gate track and cut back vegetation from the fence before it grows into the wires.
- Surge protection and earthing protect gate controllers, recorders and energizers from lightning.
- Know how to use the manual release before you need it at night in the rain.
01What the forecast means for your security systems
The Kenya Meteorological Department's outlook for October-December 2026 is for above-average rainfall over about 80% of the country, including Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kisumu, Kakamega, Kisii, Nyeri and Nyandarua, with prolonged wet spells and isolated storms. Onset is expected in the second and third weeks of October in most places.
02Gate motor checklist
- Battery: switch off mains at the isolator and run the gate a few times. If it slows, stops halfway or beeps, the battery is weak. See gate motor batteries & solar backup and gate motor battery prices.
- Controller box: check the lid closes properly and cable entries are sealed. Ants and other insects often move into dry controller boxes in the rains and can short the board.
- Sliding gate track: clear mud, silt and stones from the track; debris makes the motor work harder and can trip it.
- Swing gate motors: look for water standing around the motor base and keep the drainage clear.
- Safety beams: wipe the lenses and check alignment; splashed mud and wet leaves can block them so the gate refuses to close.
- Manual release: make sure everyone at home knows where the key is and how to use it. See how to release a gate motor manually.
| What you notice | Likely cause in the rains | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Gate slow or stops halfway | Weak battery after repeated power cuts | Test and replace the battery |
| Gate dead after a storm | Surge damage to the controller board | Have the board tested; see gate motor PC boards |
| Gate won't close | Dirty or misaligned safety beams | Clean and realign the beams |
| Gate opens or stops on its own | Moisture or insects in the controller | Dry, clean and seal the box; call a technician if it continues |
If a gate fault doesn't clear, see gate stops halfway or book gate motor repair. A pre-season gate service covers all of the above in one visit.
03Electric fence checklist
- Vegetation: cut back grass, creepers and branches before they touch the wires. Wet plants leak current to earth, weakening the fence and setting off alarms. See vegetation and broken-wire faults.
- Earthing: check earth spikes and their connections are tight and not corroded. See electric fence earthing.
- Energizer: make sure it is mounted under cover with its battery charged, so the fence stays live in a power cut.
- Insulators and joints: replace cracked insulators and loose joints that arc in wet weather.
Constant alarms or a fence that reads low after rain? Start with electric fence not working.
04CCTV checklist
- Junction boxes and connectors: make sure outdoor connections sit inside sealed boxes, not taped in the open. Water in a joint is a common cause of cameras going dark after rain. See camera with no picture.
- Camera housings: clean lenses and remove spider webs; at night, raindrops and webs reflect the infrared light and blur the picture.
- Recorder power: keep the NVR/DVR and PoE switch on a UPS so recording continues through short outages.
- Storage: check the recorder is actually recording and the hard drive is healthy before the season starts.
A CCTV maintenance visit covers housings, connectors, recording and power together.
05Lightning and power cuts
Storm damage to gate controllers, recorders and energizers usually comes through long outdoor cables and through power returning after an outage. Read surge protection & earthing for security systems, and for longer outages, backup power for security systems.
06Frequently asked questions
When do the 2026 short rains start in Kenya?
The Kenya Meteorological Department expects onset in the second and third weeks of October in most areas, with above-average rainfall over about 80% of the country.
Why does my gate stop working after a storm?
Usually a weak battery after repeated power cuts, or a surge that damaged the controller board. Test the battery first, then have the board checked.
Can rain damage my CCTV cameras?
Outdoor cameras are built for rain, but water often gets into cable joints and junction boxes. Sealed boxes and proper connectors prevent most rainy-season faults.
Does rain affect an electric fence?
Yes. Wet vegetation touching the wires leaks current and can trigger alarms. Keep growth cut back and check the earthing.
