Advances in Meteorology
Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 380404, 16 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/380404

Research Article

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

M. Oscar Kisaka,¹ M. Mucheru-Muna,¹ F. K. Ngetich,² J. N. Mugwe,² D. Mugendi,³ and F. Mairura⁴

¹Department of Environmental Science, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
²Department of Agricultural Resource Management, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
³Embu University College, P.O. Box 6-60100, Embu, Kenya
⁴TSBF-CIAT, Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT, P.O. Box 30677-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Received 11 April 2014; Revised 10 August 2014; Accepted 16 August 2014

Academic Editor: Fredrick Semazzi

Copyright © 2015 M. Oscar Kisaka et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

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 of variance, and probability analyses. Spline, Kriging, and inverse distance weighting interpolation techniques were assessed using daily rainfall data and digital elevation model using ArcGIS. Validation of these interpolation methods was evaluated by comparing the modelled/generated rainfall values and the observed daily rainfall data using root mean square errors and mean absolute errors statistics. Results showed 90% chance of below cropping threshold rainfall (500 mm) exceeding 258.1 mm during short rains in Embu for one year return period. Rainfall variability was found to be high in seasonal amounts (CV = 0.56, 0.47, and 0.59) and in number of rainy days (CV = 0.88, 0.49, and 0.53) in Machang’a, Kiritiri, and Kindaruma, respectively. Monthly rainfall variability was found to be equally high during April and November (CV = 0.48, 0.49, and 0.76) with high probabilities (0.67) of droughts exceeding 15 days in Machang’a and Kindaruma. Dry-spell probabilities within growing months were high, (91%, 93%, 81%, and 60%) in Kiambere, Kindaruma, Machang’a, and Embu, respectively. Kriging interpolation method emerged as the most appropriate geostatistical interpolation technique suitable for spatial rainfall maps generation for the study region.

1. Introduction

Understanding spatiotemporal rainfall patterns has been directly implicated to combating extreme poverty and hunger through agricultural enhancement and natural resource management [1]. The amount of soil-water available to crops depends on rainfall onset, length, and cessation which influence the success/failure of a cropping season [2]. It thus emerges that, understanding climatic parameters, rainfall in particular, can aid in developing optimal strattegies of improving the socioeconomic well-being of smallholder farmers. This is particularly important in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where agricultural productivity is principally rain-fed yet highly variable [3]. Drier parts of Kenya’s central highlands, eastern Kenya, continue to experience high unpredictable rainfall patterns, persistent dry-spells/droughts coupled with high evapotranspiration (2000–2300 mm year⁻¹) [4]. Generally, the total amount of rainwater is enough; however, it has been reported to be poorly redistributed over time [5] with 25% of the annual rain often falling within a couple of rainstorms; as a result crops suffer from water stress, often leading to complete crop failure [6]. Recha et al. [7] noted that most studies do not provide information on the much-needed character of within-season variability despite its critical influence on soil-water distribution and productivity.

There has been continued interest in understanding rainfall’s seasonal patterns by evaluation of its variables including rainfall amount, rainy days, lengths of growing seasons, and dry-spell frequencies (e.g., [2, 8]). Studies by Sivakumar [9], Seleshi and Zanke [10], and Tilahun [11] noted high variations in annual and seasonal rainfall totals and rainy days in Ethiopia and Sudano-Sahelian regions. Studies on rainfall patterns in the region have been based principally on annual averages, thus missing on within-season rainfall characteristics [12]. However, understanding the average amount of rain per rainy day and the mean duration between successive rain events aids in understanding long-term variability and patterns [13]. Nonetheless, meteorological stations in the region which are sole sources of climatic data are only limited to single locations spatially. In sub-Saharan Africa, the predominant setbacks in analysing hydrometeorological events are occasioned by lacking, inadequate, or inconsistent meteorological data. Like in most other places, the rainfall data within in the drier parts of Embu county and the neighbouring stations are scarce with missing data making their utilization quite intricate.

Geographic information systems (GIS) and modeling have become critical tools in agricultural research and natural resource management (NRM) yet their utilization in the study area is quite minimal and inadequate. Utilization of GIS spatial-interpolation techniques such as inverse distance weighted (IDW), Spline, and Kriging interpolation techniques are some of the ArcGIS application tools essential for data reconstruction. To aid in understanding spatiotemporal occurrence and patterns agro-climatic variables (e.g., rainfall) and accurate and inexpensive quantitative approaches such as GIS modelling and availabil-ity of long-term data are essential. Most meteorological data in the study area are inconsistent, unrecorded, or missing, leading to more discrete and unreliable data for analysis besides the main stations themselves being several kilometres from the target area. This calls for use of data reconstruction through interpolation.

On the other hand, the much-needed information on inter-/intraseasonal variability of rainfall in the region is still inadequate despite its critical implication on soil-water distribution, water use efficiency (WUE), nutrient use efficiency (NUE), and final crop yield. To optimize agricultural productivity in the region, there was need to quantify rainfall variability at a local and seasonal level as a first step of combating extreme effects of persistent dry-spells/droughts and crop failure. Since rainfall which is heterogeneous, in particular, is the most critical factor determining rain-fed agriculture, knowledge of its statistical properties derived from long-term observation could be utilized in developing optimal mitigation strategies in the area. To redress problems of inadequate, missing, and inconsistent point data especially for ungauged areas within the study area, this study sought to further evaluate the efficacy of geostatistical and/or deterministic interpolation techniques in daily rainfall data reconstruction.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. The Study Area

The study was carried out in Embu county, eastern Kenya. The rainfall data were from five rainfall stations: Machang’a, Kiritiri, Kiambere, and Kindaruma (herein commonly referred to as Mbeere region) and Embu (Embu). This region lies in the lower midlands 3, 4, and 5 (LM 3, LM 4, and LM 5), upper midlands 1, 2, 3, and 4 (UM 1, UM 2, UM 3, and UM 4), and inner lowland 5 (IL 5) [14] at an altitude of approximately 500 m to 1800 m above sea level (a.s.l) (Figure 1).

(a)

(b)

Figure 1: Map showing the study area and its elevation with studied point gauged rainfall data; Machang’a and Embu, Kiritiri, Kindaruma, and Kiambere.

It has an annual mean temperature ranging from 17.4 to 24.5°C and average annual rainfall of  700 to 900 mm. It has a population density of 82 persons per km² with an average farm size less than 5.0 ha per household. Embu represent a densely populated high potential humid area with Humic Nitosols soils and generally annual rainfall above 800 mm. Conversely, areas of the subhumid Mbeere subcounty are emblematic of a low agricultural potential with less fertile and low soil-water-holding Ferralsols, frequent droughts, and annual rainfall of less than 600 mm [14]. However, Mbeere subcounty continues to experience population pressure occasioned by the influx of immigrants from the overpopulated high potential areas. These areas represent Kenya’s central highlands and those of East Africa, predominant of smallholder rain-fed, nonmechanized agriculture and diminutive use of external inputs. Generally, the rainfall is bimodal with long rains (LR) from March to May and short rains (SR) from mid-October to December, hence two potential cropping seasons per year. Various agricultural studies have been carried out in the region hence the rationale behind its selection. According to [15], the region has experienced drastic declines in its productivity potential rendering most farmers poor. The prime cropping activity is maize intercropped with beans though livestock keeping is equally dominant. Mbeere subcounty represents a subhumid climate region, with annual average rainfall of 781 mm while Embu is more humid with annual average rainfall above 1,210 mm (Table 1).

Table 1: Selected metadata of the meteorological stations used in the study.

Station
Lat*
Long*
Alt*
Record_P*
Rainfall
Climate
Data

Embu
0°30′S
37°27′E
1409
13
1210
Humid

Machang’a
0°46′S
37°39′E
1106
13
781
s-humid

Kiritiri
0°41′S
37°38′E
1153
13
934
Transitional s-humid

Kindaruma
0°48′S
37°41′E
990
13
654
s-humid

Kiambere
0°42′S
37°46′E
900
13
1041
s-humid

Lat: latitude; Long: longitude; Alt: altitude; Record_P: period of record.

This region is a strategic production region, producing about 20% of the country’s maize cover. The inherently fertile Nitosols are the reasons for high-potential productivity while lower and erratic rainfall, less fertile, shallow, and sandy Ferralsols, and high drought frequency explain predominant crop failures [14]. Daily rainfall data were sourced from both the Kenya Meteorology Department and research sites with primary recording stations within the study area. The choice of rainfall stations used depended on availability of the station, the agroecological zones, and the percentage of missing data (less than 10% for a given year as required by the world meteorological organization (WMO). Much of the primary data was acquired from the ongoing recordings at Embu, Machang’a, Kiritiri, Kindaruma, and Kiambere rainfall stations.

2.2. Data Analyses

Daily primary and secondary rainfall time series were captured into MS Excel spread-sheet where seasonal rainfall totals for both Short Rains (SR) and Long Rains (LR) that is, March-April-May (MAM) and October-November-December (OND), respectively—annual average and number of rainy days were computed. In cases of high data gaps (unrecorded or missing), multiple imputations were utilized to fill in missing daily data through creation of several copies of datasets with different possible estimates. This method was preferred to single imputation and regression imputation as it appropriately adjusted the standard error for missing data yielding complete data sets for analysis [16]. Being a season-based analysis, the cumulative impact of rainfall amount was underpinned. A rainy day was considered to be any day that received more than 0.2 mm of rainfall as reported by the WMO. Daily rainfall data were captured into the RAINBOW software [17] for homogeneity testing based on cumulative deviations from the mean to check whether numerical values came from the same population. The cumulative deviations were then rescaled by dividing the initial and last values of the standard deviation by the sample standard deviation values:

where is the rescaled cumulative deviation (RCD), represents the period of record for and also when .

The maximum and the range of the rescaled cumulative deviations from the mean were evaluated based on number of Nil values, non-Nil values, and mean and standard deviations as well as K-S values ((2) to test homogeneity. Low values of and would indicate that data was homogeneous:

where is maximum (max) of and in the range of and Min is Minimum.

The frequency analyses were based on lognormal probability distribution with log₁₀ transformation using cumulative distribution function (CDF) for both LR and SR rainfall amounts. The Weibull method was used to estimate probabilities while the maximum likelihood method (MOM) was utilized as a parameter estimation statistic. Homogeneous seasonal rainfall totals for both seasons were then subjected to trend and variability analyses based on rainfall anomaly index (RAI) as described in [11].

Seasonal variability was computed in tandem with annual averages for both positive (3) and negative (4) anomalies using RAI;

where is mean of the total length of record, is mean of 10 highest values of rainfall of the period of record, and is the lowest 10 values of rainfall of the period of record.

The coefficient of variance (coefficient of variation) statistics were utilized to test the level of mean variations in LR and SR seasonal rainfall, number of rainy days (RD) and rainfall amounts (RA), and -test statistic to evaluate the significance of variation.

A dry day was taken as a day that received either less than 0.2 mm or no rainfall at all. A dry-spell was considered as sequence of dry days bracketed by wet days on both sides [18]. The method for frequency analysis of dry-spells was adapted from Belachew [19] as follows: in the years of records, the number of times that a dry-spell of duration days occurs was counted on a monthly basis. Then the number of times that a dry-spell of duration longer than or equal to occurs was computed through accumulation. The consecutive dry days were prepared from historical data. The probabilities of occurrence of consecutive dry days were estimated by taking into account the number of days in a given month . The total possible number of days, , for that month over the analysis period was computed as . Subsequently the probability that a dry-spell may be equal to or longer than days was given by (5). The probability that a dry-spell not longer than does not occur at a certain day in a growing season was computed by (6); probability that a dry-spell longer than days will occur in a growing season was calculated by (7) and probability that a dry-spell exceeding days would occur within a growing season was computed by (8) as shown in the following:

ArcGIS software tool combined with the digital elevation model (DEM) to generate average spatial rainfall and maps using various interpolation techniques was utilized for data reconstruction purposes. The stepwise methodology is summarized in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Flow chart showing stepwise interpolation and data reconstruction analyses.

The efficacy of interpolation techniques was assessed using mean absolute errors (MAE) (9) and root mean square errors (RMSE) (10) statistics plus validation using gauged rainfall data:

where and are the predicted and observed or measured rainfall values. The and are the respective means of these values and is the number of observations.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Homogeneity Testing

Homogeneity analyses had no Nil-values (values below threshold) but 100% non-Nil values (above threshold) showing high homogeneity. The standard deviations (SD) of the normalized means for both LR and SR rainfall amounts were low, for example, lowest SD = 0.1 (in Embu and Kiritiri during SRs), and highest SD = 0.9 (in Embu and Kindaruma) during LRs. Low SD values indicated the restriction of variations (rescaled cumulative deviations, RCD) around mean rainfall amounts thus high homogeneity (Table 2).

Table 2: Mean, standard deviation, and values for the rainfall dailies from study stations for the period between 2001 and 2013.

Station
Season
Transformation
Nil values
Mean
Standard deviation (SD)
(%)

Embu
LR

0
3.2
0.9
94

SR

0
2.7
0.1
92

Machang’a
LR

0
2.4
0.4
96

SR

0
2.6
0.2
94

Kiritiri
LR

0
2.6
0.3
94

SR

0
2.9
0.1
92

Kindaruma
LR

0
2.2
0.9
88

SR

0
2.2
0.3
92

Kiambere
LR

0
2.2
0.8
90

SR

0
2.4
0.4
96

SD: standard deviation; LR: long rains; SR: short rains.

The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S value) Test values, -Square for the seasonal rainfall, and the values of the average rainfall means for rainfall months are summarized in Tables 3(a) and 3(b).

Table 3: (a) Homogeneity test for the rainfall dailies from study stations for the period between 2000 and 2013. (b) Seasonal monthly (K-S value), mean, and standard deviation and values for average rainfall dailies in both Mbeere region and Embu for the period between 2001 and 2013.

(a)  

Station
Season
Transformation

K-S value
K-S table value

Embu
LR

13
0.2330
0.302*

SR

13
0.1722
0.302*

Machang’a
LR

13
0.1479
0.302*

SR

13
0.19
0.302*

Kiritiri
LR

13
0.231
0.302*

SR

13
0.221
0.302*

Kindaruma
LR

13
0.165
0.302*

SR

13
0.066
0.302*

Kiambere
LR

13
0.127
0.302*

SR

13
0.179
0.302*

K-S: Kolmogorov-Smirnov; (K-S = 0.302*, exponential distribution applies and is accepted).

(b)  

Month
K-S value
N
Mean
Standard deviation (SD)
(%)
K-S table value

Mar
0.1557
32
10.1
3.3
96
0.302*

Apr
0.0560
32
17.2
3.9
98
0.302*

May
0.1457
32
12.4
4.2
94
0.302*

Jun
0.0797
32
1.3
0.3
98
0.302*

Oct
0.0817
32
12.2
4.6
98
0.302*

Nov
0.0961
32
15.4
3.3
98
0.302*

Dec
0.1240
32
8.0
3.6
96
0.302*

K-S value: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, (K-S = 0.302*, exponential distribution applies and is accepted).

A plot of homogeneity of the average monthly rainfall daily and for all stations studied showed deviations from the zero mark of the RCDs not crossing probability lines; thus homogeneity was accepted at 99% probabilities (Figure 3).

(a)

(b)

Figure 3: Rescaled cumulative deviations for seasonal months and studied rainfall stations for the period between 2000 and 2013.

There was a normal distribution of the sampled-temporal rainfall data with high goodness-of-fit (% to 96%) of the selected distribution showing continuity of the data from mother primary data thus high homogeneity [17]. Kolmogorov-Smirnov values (one-sided sample K-S test) showed K-S values (0.15 to 0.23) consistently lower than the K-S table value (0.302) for at probability indicating that an exponential, continuous distribution of the studied datasets was statistically acceptable, based on the empirical cumulative distribution function (ECDF) derived from the largest vertical difference between the extracted (observed K-S value) and the table value [20–22]. Frequency analyses of meteorological data require that the time series be homogenous in order to gain in-depth and representative understanding of the trends over time [17]. Often, nonhomogeneity and lack of exponential distributions between datasets indicate gradual changes in the natural environment and thus trigger variability, which corresponds to changes in agricultural production [23, 24].

3.2. Probabilities of Rainfall Exceedance, Return Periods, and Amounts

Results showed that there was at least 90% chance of rainfall exceeding 141.5 mm (lowest) and 258.1 mm (highest) during LRs in Kindaruma and Embu, respectively, within a return period of about 1 year (Table 4). Nonetheless, there were observably low probabilities (10%) that rains would exceed 449.8 mm and 763.0 mm during LR seasons in Machang’a and Embu, respectively, for a 10-year return period (Table 4).

Table 4: (a) Probability of rainfall exceedance and return-periods for the LRs and SRs in the study area. (b) Probability of average seasonal months’ rainfall exceedance and return-periods for the LRs and SRs in Mbeere subcounty.

(a)  

Exceedance (%)
Return (P)
Magnitude of anticipated rainfall (mm)

Embu
Machang’a
Kiritiri
Kindaruma
Kiambere

LR
SR
LR
SR
LR
SR
LR
SR
LR
SR

10
10
994.7
628.8
449.8
763
465.8
831.7
507.8
773.7
541.8
907.7

20
5
788.9
541.2
381.4
613.1
398.2
625.9
420.2
617.9
454.2
701.9

30
3.33
667.5
485.7
338.7
523.7
372.7
584.5
364.7
516.5
398.7
580.5

40
2.5
578.8
442.9
306
457.7
379.9
515.8
321.9
427.8
355.9
491.8

50
2
506.8
406.3
278.2
403.6
343.3
443.8
285.3
385.8
319.3
419.8

60
1.67
443.5
372.8
253.2
356
269.8
380.5
251.8
322.5
285.8
356.5

70
1.43
384.5
339.9
222.8
311.1
276.9
321.5
218.9
263.5
252.9
297.5

80
1.25
325.4
305.0
203.1
265.7
142
262.4
184
204.4
218
238.4

90
1.11
258.1
262.5
172.2
213.5
199.5
195.1
141.5
137.1
175.5
171.1

Exceedance (%): probability of exceedance (%) and Return (P): return period (years).

(b)  

Exceedance (%)
Return (P)
Seasonal months

March
April
May
October
November
December

20
5
164
419
253
258
331
117

40
2.5
118
330
181
179
264
74

50
2
100
295
154
149
237
59

60
1.67
84
262
129
122
212
45

80
1.25
50
193
79
70
159
18

Exceedance (%): probability of exceedance (%) and Return (P): return period (years).

Conversely, probabilities of monthly rainfall during cropping seasons exceeding cropping threshold were equally low, for example, 5% probability to exceed 419 mm in April and 331 mm in November (Table 4(b)).

A study by Mzezewa et al. [21] established that seasonal rainfall amount greater than 450 mm is indicative of a successful growing season and described it as a threshold rainfall amount. During this study, the probabilities that seasonal rainfall would exceed this threshold were quite low (at most 30% for a return period of 3.33 years). Embu, being much wetter, would probably (50%) receive above threshold rainfall amount (506.8 mm) after every 2 years (Table 4). Mzezewa et al. [21] observed 47% chance of seasonal rainfall exceeding 580 mm but 0% (no increase) of exceeding total annual rainfall for a 5-year return period in the semiarid Ecotope of Limpopo, South Africa.

3.3. Variability and Anomalies in Seasonal Rainfall Amount

There was notable high interseasonal variability and temporal anomalies in rainfall between 2001 and 2013. Results showed neither station nor season with persistent near average (RAI = 0) rainfall especially from stations in the subhumid region. For instance, in Machang’a, the wettest LRs were recorded in 2010 (RAI = +4) while wettest SRs were recorded in 2001 (RAI = +4), 2006 (RAI = +3.8), and 2011 (RAI = +4) (Figure 4). In Embu, the highest positive anomalies (+5.0) were recorded in 2002, 2005, and 2007 during LRs (Figure 4). Noticeably, Embu appeared to be receiving more near average rainfall during SRs (2002, 2003, 2007, and 2011) contrary to the trends observed in Mbeere region (especially in Kindaruma and Kiambere) (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Decadal rainfall anomaly index for both LR_MAM and SR_OND in Embu, Machang’a, Kiritiri, Kindaruma, and Kiambere; RAI: rainfall anomaly index.

Generally, stations in subhumid areas of Mbeere subcounty recorded more negative anomalies in rainfall amount received compared to Embu. An intrastation seasonal comparison showed that SRs in Embu were less variable but more drier compared to LR seasons. Conversely, SRs in Mbeere region were wetter than SRs in Embu but more variable in the former. Assorted studies have cited unpredictability of LR seasonal rainfall patterns and farmers’ reliance on SRs (e.g., Cohen, 1987; [25]; Hutchinson, 1996; and Recha et al. [7]). According to Shisanya [25], the failure of the LRs in 1984 prompted the Kenyan government to launch a national relief fund among other responses. Akponikpè et al. [13] also reported similar trends of high variability (CV = 57%) in temporal annual rainfall (monomodal rainfall between February and September), in the Sahel region. Conversely, the incumbent study showed that the decade between 2000 and 2013 experienced marked increases in SRs and a decrease in LRs. Nicholson (1993) and Hulme [26] attributed the decrease in LRs to the desiccation (drying out) of the March-to-August rains in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A study by Tilahun [11] based on the cumulative departure index established that parts of Northern and Central Ethiopia persistently received below average rainfall for the rains received between February and August since 1970. While studying vegetation dynamics based on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), Tucker and Anyamba (2005) noted persistent droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns marked by reduction in the NVDI values during LRs for periods approaching the 21st century. On the other hand, it was apparent that SRs recorded consistent above-average trends during this study, indicating possibilities of a reliable growing season especially for the drier Machang’a region. In tandem with this observation, findings by Hansen and Indeje (2004) and Amissah-Arthur et al. [27] observed that SRs constituted the main growing season in the drier parts of SSA and Great Horne of Africa for crops such as maize, sorghum, green grams, and finger millet.

Generally, high variability (often attributed to La Nina, El Nino, and Sea Surface Temperatures) could occasion rainfall failures leading to declines in total seasonal rainfall in the study area. According to Shisanya [25], La Nina events significantly contributed to the occurrence of persistent droughts and unpredictable weather patterns during LRs in Kenya. In contrast, El Nino events (of 1997 and 1998) have been cited as the key inputs of the positive anomalies in SR seasonal rainfall in the ASALs of Eastern Kenya [27, 28].

3.4. Variations in Rainfall Amounts and Number of Rainy Days

On average, the total amount of rainfall received in all stations was below 900 mm (subhumid stations) and 1400 mm (humid) per annum. Yet LRs contributed 314.9 mm and 586.3 mm while SRs contributed 438.7 mm and 479.1 mm (Table 5) translating to a total of 754 mm and 1084 mm of seasonal rainfall in in the respective station (Table 5).

Table 5: Variability analyses: coefficient of variations in seasonal rainfall amounts and number of rainy days in the study stations for the period between 2000 and 2013.

Station
Season
RA
CV_RA
RD
CV_RD

Embu
LR_MAM
586.3a
0.36
46a
0.09

SR_OND
457.2b
0.38
40a
0.27

Machang’a
LR_MAM
314.9b
0.41
24b
0.26

SR_OND
458.7b
0.56
53c
0.88

Kiritiri
LR_MAM
343.7b
0.39
24b
0.28

SR_OND
486.5b
0.45
52c
0.51

Kiambere
LR_MAM
203.3c
0.29
17d
0.49

SR_OND
285.0d
0.30
37a
0.38

Kindaruma
LR_MAM
285.5b
0.47
17d
0.43

SR_OND
316.9b
0.41
34e
0.37

Values connected by the same superscript letters in the RA column denote no significant difference between the seasonal rainfall amount mean values.

MAM: March-May-June and OND: October-November-December and RA: rainfall amount in (mm); RD: rainy days; CV-RA: coefficient of variation in rainfall amounts; CV-RD: coefficient of variation in rainy days.

These account for close to 90% of total rainfall received annually; implying that smaller proportions of rainy days supplied much of the total amounts of rainfall received in the region. Evaluation of variability based on coefficient of variation (CV) in rainfall amount (RA) and number of rainy days (RD) showed that most stations received highly variable rainfall.

It has been shown that a coefficient of variation (CV) greater than 30% in rainfall data series indicates massive variability in rainfall amounts and distributional patterns [29]. In Machang’a, Kiritiri, and Kindaruma, rainfall amounts during LRs were highly variable (CV = 0.41, 0.39, and 0.47, resp.) than those in Embu (CV = 0.36). Variability was equally high in the number of rainy days (RD), for example, CV = 0.51 and 0.49 in Kiritiri and Kiambere, respectively. Results also showed that LRs and SRs amounts were not significantly different from each other in most stations of Mbeere region but different in Embu (Table 5). These results indicate high variability of rainfall received across all AEZs in the study area, further evidenced by massive rainfall anomalies reported earlier by this study.

Regionally, findings of Seleshi and Zanke [10] further showed that annual and seasonal rainfall (Kiremt and Belg seasons) in Ethiopia were highly variable with CV values ranging between 0.10 and 0.50.

3.5. Monthly Variations in Seasonal Rainfall Amounts and Number of Rainy Days

Results showed that rainfall amounts received within seasonal months (March-April-May; LRs and October-November-December; SRs) were highly variable (all with CV > 0.3).

Notably, coefficient of variation in Rainfall Amounts (CV-RA) was quite high during the months of March (CV-RA = 0.98) and December (CV-RA = 0.86) in Machang’a and CV-RA = 0.61 (March) and CV-RA = 0.97 (December) in Embu (Table 6). Variability in the number of rainy days (CV-RD) for each seasonal month was equally high in the two study stations. For instance, March (CV-RD = 0.61 and CV-RD = 0.47) and December (CV-RD = 0.34 and CV-RD = 83) had the highest variability in the number of rainy days in Machang’a and Embu, respectively (Table 6).

Table 6: Variability in rainfall amounts and number of rainy days during seasonal months for studied stations for the period between 2000 and 2013.

Parameter
March
April
May
October
November
December

Embu

RA (mm)
110.1
300.8
175.6
175.1
250.3
71.8

CV-RA
0.61
0.48
0.54
0.66
0.43
0.97

RD
20
14
12
10
13
17

CV-RD
0.47
0.27
0.27
0.59
0.25
0.83

Machang’a

RA (mm)
85.5
160.2
69.2
98.9
267.9
72

CV-RA
0.98
0.42
0.69
0.8
0.77
0.86

RD
8
11
5
14
29
10

CV-RD
0.61
0.22
0.61
0.35
0.23
0.34

Kiritiri

RA (mm)
88.7
167.1
87.9
110.4
274.3
101.8

CV-RA
0.61
0.48
0.54
0.66
0.43
0.97

RD
7
14
3
12
24
16

CV-RD
0.47
0.27
0.27
0.59
0.25
0.83

Kiambere

RA (mm)
41.8
97.8
63.8
45
147
93

CV-RA
0.88
0.46
0.59
0.83
0.67
0.81

RD
3
12
2
11
17
9

CV-RD
0.51
0.2
0.53
0.31
0.23
0.4

Kindaruma

RA (mm)
59.5
119.5
86.5
48.6
165.6
102.6

CV-RA
0.46
0.31
0.37
0.59
0.29
0.84

RD
2
12
3
9
18
7

CV-RD
0.62
0.48
0.52
0.46
0.36
0.84

RA (mm): rainfall amount in millimetres; CV-RA: coefficient of variation in rainfall amounts, RD: number of rainy days; CV-RD: coefficient of variation in rainy days.

Generally, onset months (March and October) and cessation months (May and December) received highly variable rainfall amounts compared to mid-seasonal months. Notably, Machang’a, though being more of an arid region, generally recorded lower variability in number of rainy days during SR seasonal months compared to those recorded at Embu during the same season, evidence of reduced variability and wetting of SRs in the region. In addition, it was evident that the amount of rainfall and number of rainy days received in the past decade in most stations were more consistent (temporally) in April and November but highly unpredictable in March (onset) and December (cessation). This significantly affects the cropping calendar in rain-fed agricultural productivity of the region. Nonetheless, lower values of variations in the number of rainy days (CV-RD) indicated that variations in rainy days were fairly consistent compared to variations in rainfall amounts received. It would also appear that most stations in Mbeere region received more rainfall during SR season with November alone accounting for about 60% of total seasonal rainfall amount received while April accounts for 51% of the LR rainfall in the case of Machang’a. Conversely, Embu received more rainfall during LRs with April accounting for about 52% of total rainfall received. These trends indicate that SR seasons would be receiving more rainfall amounts than LRs in the region, a trend acknowledged by most (67.3%) smallholder farmers in SSA, Amissah-Arthur et al. [27] and Barron et al. [12]. Trends of high variability in seasonal monthly rainfall reported by this study have also been cited by Mzezewa et al. [21] who reported high coefficient of variation for seasonal (315%) and annual (50–114%) rainfall in semiarid Ecotope, northeast of South Africa. Additionally, Sivakumar [9] found that annual rainfall in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of West Africa was less variable (0.36) than monthly (0.54) rainfall.

3.6. Droughts and Dry-Spell Characterization

Results showed that the probability of occurrence of dry-spells of various durations varied from month to month of the growing season. High probabilities of dry-spells were in March (0.72 and 0.55) and December (0.8 and 0.6) in average subhumid (Machang’a, Kiritiri, Kiambere, and Kindaruma) stations and humid ones (Embu), respectively (Figure 5). The probability of having a dry-spell increased with shorter periods (for instance, more chance of having a 3-day than a 10- or 21-day dry-spell) (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Probability of a dry-spell of length days, for , 5, 7, 15, and 21, in each seasonal-cropping month, based on raw rainfall data from 2000 to 2013 for studied humid and subhumid stations.

On the other hand, the probabilities that dry-spells would exceed these day durations were equally high (Figure 6). There was 70% chance that dry-spells would exceed 15 days in average Mbeere stations and 50% in Embu (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Probability of dry-spells exceeding the   , and days for each seasonal month calculated using the raw rainfall data from 2000 to 2013 for studied humid and subhumid stations.

Dry-spells during cropping months are quite common which often trigger reduced harvests or even complete crop failures, in the study region. Rainfall being a prime input and requirement for plant life in rain-fed agriculture, the occurrence of dry-spells has particular relevance to rain-fed agricultural productivity (Belachew, 2002; Rockstrom et al., 2002). It was observed that lowest probabilities of occurrence of dry-spells of all durations were recorded in the month of April (during LRs) and November (during SRs). The occurrence of dry-spells of all durations decreased from April towards May (LR) and November towards December (SRs). Indeed, the months of April and December coincide with the peak of rainfall amounts for both SR and LR growing seasons in the region [7, 30]. This trend is in line with works reported by several studies in SSA, including Kosgei [30], Aghajani (2007) in Iran, and Sivakumar (1992) in East Africa. High probabilities of dry-spells occurring and exceeding the same durations show the high risks and vulnerability that rain-fed smallholder farmers are predisposed to in the study area. Often, prolonged dry-spells are accompanied by poor distribution and low soil moisture for the plant growth during the growing season. General high probabilities of persistent dry-spells in SSA have been reported by Hulme [26], Dai et al. (2007), and Mzezewa et al. [21]. This could be attributed to the persistence of intermediate warming scenarios in parts of equatorial East Africa [21, 26]. Prolonged dry-spells during cropping seasons directly impact the performance of crop production. For instance, high evaporative demand indicated by high aridity index in the drier parts of eastern Kenya implies that rain water is not available for crop use and cannot meet the evaporative demands (Kimani et al., 2005). Thus, deficit is likely to prevail throughout the rain seasons as observed in other SSA regions (Li et al., 2006). Run-off collection and general confinement of rain-water within the crop’s rooting zone could enhance rain-water use efficiency as demonstrated by Botha et al. (2003).

3.7. Spatial Average Rainfall Interpolations (ArcGIS Spatial Analyst Application)

Performance of the different interpolation techniques was varied. Kriging and Spline techniques reported more representative values of observed rainfall when compared to the IDW method. Generally, Kriging spatial interpolation capability for rainfall amounts was found to be high (predicting 670–742 mm for observed 800 mm) (Figure 7). Evidently, lower eastern parts of the region received low rainfall amounts as interpolated across all the test methods (ranging from 229 to 397 mm), adequately replicating trends of the actual observed rainfall. Trends of the region receiving high rainfall at Siakago (1200 mm p.a.) were adequately predicted in Kriging and IDW when compared to Spline prediction (Figure 7).

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 7: Annual rainfall maps of observed and those of reconstructed rainfall using IWM, Kriging, and Spline interpolation techniques.

Evaluation of the mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) between reconstructed interpolated) and observed rainfall data further showed that the Kriging method (MAE = 147 mm and RMSE = 176.5 mm) would be the best-bet technique to adopt for rainfall interpolation for the region (Table 7).

Table 7: Mean absolute error, RMSE, and values for the interpolation produced from validation of IDW, Kriging, and Spline methods.

IDW
Kriging
Spline

Average P (O)
371.3 (760)
507.6 (760)
399.4 (760)

SD
115.5
137.5
106.7

MAE
276.7
147.6
248.6

RMSE (mm)
294.7
176.5
264.7

0.04
0.67
0.23

P: predicted precipitation; O: Observed precipitation; SD: standard deviation; MAE: mean absolute error; RMSE: root mean square error; IDW: inverse weighted mean.

Interpolation under IDW method was generally unsatisfactory when compared to the Spline and Kriging interpolation methods.

Figure 8 shows the scatter plots of recorded versus predicted (interpolated) decadal average rainfall across the study stations based on Kriging interpolation technique.

Figure 8: Comparison between recorded and ArCGIS Kriging predicted average decadal rainfall amount across study stations: error bars denote standard deviation of observed means, .

A comparison of the predicted and recorded rainfall amounts showed further best-fit performance of the Kriging interpolation technique in ArcGIS. Predictions in Machang’a recorded high values of best-fit compared to Kiambere which could be attributed to high missing data in the raw rainfall dailies in the latter station (Figure 8).

Assorted arguments regarding the varied performances of the different interpolation techniques could explain the results of this study. Both the inverse distance weighted (IDW) and Spline methods are deterministic methods since their predictions are directly based on the surrounding measured values or on specified mathematical formulas [31]. On the other hand, Kriging is a geostatistical method, which is based on statistical models that include autocorrelation, which underpins the statistical relationships among the measured and predicted data points [32]. Better prediction of the Kriging method established in this study could be attributed to its capability of producing a prediction surface, thus providing a measure of the certainty or accuracy of the predictions. In this study, the resultant patterns of spatial distribution for each map were an outcome of the generated patterns from the mapping of the index value (the mean annual precipitation) and as influenced by the spatial local conditions (elevation) including the nonexistence of altitudinal variability of the parameters of the distribution function and the interpolation methods used. Statistically, the spatial distribution of quantiles is theoretically better underpinned in Kriging method than in the other methods tested. For this study, Kriging was extended by the regional regression for each index value for areas whose terrain or other controls could have contributed to the spatial variability of the trends, explaining its better predictability.

4. Conclusion and Recommendations

Results showed that available rainfall data series from study station are homogenous implying that the time series were a record of one population. Before frequency analysis of the rainfall data is done, various transformations are essential for the data to follow particular probability distribution patters. Weibull method for estimating probabilities and method of moment (MOM) parameter estimation methods proved to be sufficient for the task, in evaluating data series homogeneity and frequency. Decadal rainfall trends showed that both long rains (LRs) and average annual rainfall have decreased in the past 13 years in the region. Mbeere region appeared to have experienced pronounced declines in rainfall amounts especially those received during LRs. Nonetheless, rainfall amount during SRs markedly increased in most study stations, with high amount gains established in the Mbeere stations. Evidently, probabilities that seasonal rainfall amounts would exceed the threshold for cropping (500–800 mm) were quite low (10%) in all stations. The amount of rainfall received during LRs and SRs varied significantly in Embu but not in Machang’a. There was evidence of increasing rainfall variability from Embu station towards Mbeere stations to as high as CV = 0.88 in Machang’a. Probabilities that the region would experience dry-spells exceeding 15 days during a cropping season were equally high, for example, 46% in Embu and 87% in Machang’a. This replicates high chances that soil moisture could be lost by evaporation bearing in mind the high chances (81%) that the same dry-spells exceeding 15 days could reoccur during the cropping season. On the other hand, Kriging technique was identified as the most appropriate geostatistical interpolation techniques that can be used in spatial and temporal rainfall data reconstruction in the region. Based on these findings, it is apparent that farmers in the lower eastern Mbeere region are encouraged to intensify cropping during SRs as compared to LRs. It is equally important that they schedule supplementary irrigation, only based on timely, regular, and accurate dissemination daily monthly and seasonal forecasts by the Kenya Meteorological Department. High rainfall variability and chances of prolonged dry-spells established in this study also demand that farmers ought to keenly select crop varieties and types that are more drought resistant (sorghum and millet) other than common maize cropping. For instance, probabilities of having dry-spells exceeding 15 days are relatively high (63%, 80%, 91%, 93%, and 57% for Machang’a, Kiritiri, Kiambere, Kindaruma, and Embu, resp.) during both SR and LR seasons. In this regard, the choice of crop variety and type should be based on the degree of its tolerance to drought. These decisions can be optimized if the probability of dry-spells is computed after successful (effective) planting dates. There is need for establishing further precise, timely weather forecasting mechanisms and communication systems to guide on seasonal farming. In most arid and semiarid regions, soil moisture availability is primarily dictated by the extent and persistency of dry-spells. It is thus essential to match the crop phenology with dry-spell lengths based days after sowing to meet the crop water demands during the sensitive stages of crop growth. Knowledge of lengths of dry-spells and the probability of their occurrence can also aid in planning for supplementary risk aversion strategies through prediction of high water demand spells.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgment

Special thanks are extended to RUFORUM fiscal support.

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