• Login
    View Item 
    •   Repository
    • Journal Articles
    • Articles: Department of Water and Agricultural Resources Management
    • View Item
    •   Repository
    • Journal Articles
    • Articles: Department of Water and Agricultural Resources Management
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Suitability of different data sources in rainfall pattern characterization in the tropical central highlands of Kenya

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Speech (2.432Mb)
    Full text (2.432Mb)
    Date
    2020-11
    Author
    Oduor, Nathan O.
    Ng'etich, Felix K.
    Kiboi, Milka N.
    Muriuki, Anne
    Adamtey, Noah
    Mugendi, Daniel N.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Uncertainty in rainfall pattern has put rain-fed agriculture in jeopardy, even for the regions considered high rainfall potential like the Central Highlands of Kenya (CHK). The rainfall pattern in the CHK is spatially and temporally variable in terms of onset and cessation dates, frequency and occurrence of dry spells, and seasonal distribution. Appraisal of the variability is further confounded by the lack of sufficient observational data that can enable accurate characterisation of the rainfall pattern in the region. We, therefore, explored the utilisation of satellite daily rainfall estimates from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for rainfall pattern characterisation in the CHK. Observed daily rainfall data sourced from Kenya meteorological department were used as a reference point. The observation period was from 1997 to 2015. Rainfall in the CHK was highly variable, fairly distributed and with low intensity in all the seasons. Onset dates ranged between mid-February to mid-March and mid-August to mid-October for long rains (LR) and short rains (SR) seasons, respectively. Cessation dates ranged from late May to mid-June and mid-December to late December for the LR and SR, respectively. There was a high probability (93%) of dry spell occurrence. More research needs to be done on efficient use of the available soil moisture and on drought tolerant crop varieties to reduce the impact of drought on crop productivity. Comparison between satellite and observed rain gauge data showed close agreement at monthly scale than at daily scale, with general agreement between the two datasets. Hence, we concluded that, given the availability, accessibility, frequency of estimation and spatial resolution, satellite estimates can complement observed rain gauge data. Stakeholders in the fields of agriculture, natural resource management, environment among others, can utilise the findings of this study in planning to reduce rainfall-related risks and enhance food security.
    URI
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05375
    http://repository.embuni.ac.ke/handle/embuni/3843
    Collections
    • Articles: Department of Water and Agricultural Resources Management [200]

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Thumbnail

      Potential of deterministic and geostatistical rainfall interpolation under high rainfall variability and dry spells: case of Kenya’s Central Highlands 

      Kisaka, Oscar M.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Ngetich, F.K.; Mugwe, Jayne; Mugendi, Daniel N.; Mairura, F.; Shisanya, C.A.; Makokha, G. L. (Springer, 2015-03)
      Drier parts of Kenya’s Central Highlands endure persistent crop failure and declining agricultural productivity. These have, in part, attributed to high temperatures, prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall. Understanding ...
    • Thumbnail

      Potential of deterministic and geostatistical rainfall interpolation under high rainfall variability and dry spells: case of Kenya’s Central Highlands 

      Kisaka, Oscar M.; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Ngetich, F.K.; Mugwe, Jayne (Springer Vienna, 2015-03)
      Drier parts of Kenya’s Central Highlands endure persistent crop failure and declining agricultural productivity. These have, in part, attributed to high temperatures, prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall. Understanding ...
    • Thumbnail

      Rainfall Variability, Drought Characterization, and Efficacy of Rainfall Data Reconstruction: Case of Eastern Kenya 

      Kisaka, Oscar M.; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Ngetich, F.K.; Mugwe, Jayne; Mugendi, Daniel N.; Mairura, F. (Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2014-08)
      This study examined the extent of seasonal rainfall variability, drought occurrence, and the efficacy of interpolation techniques in eastern Kenya. Analyses of rainfall variability utilized rainfall anomaly index, coefficients ...

    University of Embu©
    Contact Us |
    Designed by 
    Atmire NV
     

     

    Browse

    All of RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    University of Embu©
    Contact Us |
    Designed by 
    Atmire NV