Severe drought has affected Kenya in the past
decades reducing crop yields leaving millions of people in dire need of food.
Drought cycle in Kenya has reduced increasing drought frequency in the recent
decades. This study assessed drought characteristics in Laikipia West
sub-County which lies in a region classified as arid and semi arid. The
specific objective of the study was to analyze
seasonal and annual drought characteristics in Laikipia West sub-County between 1984 and 2014. The study adopted documentary review design in the data collection. Standard Precipitation Index
was used during the data analysis process. The drought years identified in
Laikipia West sub-County
were: 1984, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2005,
2008 and 2009. The seasonal drought events shows that for the period under
study Laikipia West sub-County has never experience drought during the MAM and
OND seasons in the same year. This explains the importance of seasonal climate
forecast to crop farmers. The study also established that the average drought
cycle in the study area is 3 years. The study recommends construction of mega
water reservoirs which could collect water during the wet season to be utilized
during the dry seasons. The study also recommends channeling of drought
information through the government agencies at the beginning of every season.
Cite this paper
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