An earthquake, which geological experts believed it originated from Tanzania was felt hundreds of kilometres away in several parts of Kenya.
At approximately 12:27 p.m. East African Time, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, residents in Nairobi, Murang’a, Kiambu and Kajiado counties of Kenya as well as some parts of Uganda and Rwanda, experienced an earth tremor.
The shaking was also reported in surrounding areas.
The earthquake reportedly originated near Ushirombo in the Geita Region of northwestern Tanzania, close to Lake Victoria.
Initial reports placed its magnitude at 5.6, although subsequent measurements revised it to 5.1.
The tremor occurred at a relatively shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface.
The shaking was also reported in parts of Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
This geological activity is connected to the East African Rift System, one of the most significant geological features on our continent.
This enormous geological zone stretches from the Afar region in Ethiopia, through Kenya and Tanzania, towards southern Africa.
The East African Rift is a region where the Earth’s crust is slowly pulling apart.
Deep beneath the surface, the African tectonic plate is gradually separating into two major sections: the Nubian Plate to the west and the Somali Plate to the east.
This movement happens very slowly, over millions of years.
As the Earth’s crust stretches, it develops cracks and weaknesses called faults. Pressure gradually builds up along these faults. When rocks suddenly move, stored energy is released, producing seismic waves that travel through the ground. These are the waves responsible for the shaking we experience during earthquakes.
Kenya lies within this active geological region. The Great Rift Valley, with its dramatic escarpments, volcanic mountains, deep valleys and geothermal areas, is a visible result of geological processes that have been shaping East Africa for millions of years.
These same geological processes have also given Kenya valuable geothermal energy resources, particularly around Olkaria in Naivasha.
Earthquakes are natural geological events, and understanding them is important. During an earthquake, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table and hold on. Keep away from windows and objects that could fall.
