LECTURE EIGHT

CLIMATE AND AGRO-CLIMATIC

ZONES OF KENYA
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Objectives
8.3 Definition of Concept climate
 Climate is the average weather.
 It describes the condition of different weather variables for a specified area during a specified time
interval. Many natural factors influence the climate and have the potential to change it.
 The climatic factor of greatest economic and social significance in Kenya is rainfall. Evaporation,
radiation, temperature wind speed, sunshine hours and humidity add detail to our understanding of the
impact of climate on society.
 About 80% of the total land area of Kenya is occupied by the arid and semi-arid lands. Here, the rainfall
is not only sparse but is also characterized by high variability between years and seasons. It is also
extremely unpredictable. In addition, the rain often occurs as very localized and intense storms which
cause flooding and heavy run-offs.
 Sometimes massive soil erosion results due to the scant vegetation cover. In the more humid areas, in
Kenya Highlands, the rain is concentrated into definite seasons. Rainfall in the Highlands is very
seasonal and this is important from the agricultural point of view. Precipitation commonly comes in two
seasons in
A year, and this has given rise to

the popular terminology of the “long rains” and the “short rains”. Areas to the East of the RiftValley
display a strongly bimodal pattern; others still are more complex and show three peaks (e.g. Nyahururu).
Areas to the West of the Rift Valley which receives higher and better spread rainfall, but it is often
accompanied by thunderstorms which encourage rapid run-off.
 Hail damage is often severe. The year is consequently divided into two distinctive seasons, so that crops
grown must either be able to fit into one or the other of the season, or else withstand the prolonged
period of no rain.
 The dominant controls of the weather and climate of Kenya are:
(a)The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
(b) Topography and aspect, which influence the intensity of ITCZ
(c) Latitude which affects the timing of rainfall minima and maxima
(d)Inland lakes, e.g. L. Victoria, which provide local sources of moisture The ITCZ is also
known as the equatorial trough. It is the area of convergence between the dry continental air
mass (N/E trade winds) and the moist, tropical S/E trade winds.

The pattern of rainfall results from the annual north-south shift of the ITCZ. Over the oceans the
ITCZcharacterizes an area of “doldrums” winds which are generally calm. However, over the
land the ITCZ is a zone of converging winds and instability.
 The ITCZ lies about 50 S in the northern winter and about 150 N in the southern winter. The
annual mean position is 50 N.

8.3.1 Agro-Climatic Zones

 Agro-climatic zones indicate which areas are climatically suitable for different crops. There have been
several attempts to characterize site potentials in Kenya based on the ecological factors of climate, soils
and vegetation.
 Pratt, Greenway and Gwynne (1966, 1972) calculated moisture indices according to the ThornThwaite
1948) system. The moisture indices were used in conjunction with vegetation to define and delimit eco-
climatic zones in Kenya.
 Wood head (1970) calculated and mapped the available water Index (AWI) for many stations in Kenya
and equated the AWI with the ecological zones of Pratt et al (1966).In most ecological classifications in
East Africa, the vegetation has been used widely as an indication of climate and agricultural land
potential. This is because in general the vegetation cover of any place reflects the sum total of
environmental conditions and is therefore regarded as a fairly reliable indicator of ecological potential.
 In general the three factors of climate and soils largely govern the occurrence and distribution of natural
vegetation. The influence of climate can be related to the larger plant formation such as forest, woodland
grassland and semi-desert communities, whereas within these large vegetation units, local differences in
topography and soil account for the existence of particular associations of plant communities. Using or
taxonomic characteristics of the vegetation cover, various systems of classifying ecological land units in
East Africa have thus been derived. These are variously referred to as eco-climatic vegeto-ecological or
agro-ecological zones.
 In such zones the major combinations of climate, soil and topography have been isolated and equated
with their vegetation types. There are six eco-climatic zones in Kenya that have been identified
and isolated on that basis namely:
Zone 1. Afro-Alpine Moorland and grassland-found at high altitude above the forest line
Zone 11. It has a humid to dry sub-humid climate
Zone111.It has a dry sub-humid to semi-arid climate
Zone 1V. It has a semi-arid climate
Zone V. Climate is arid
Zone V1. Very arid climate
 Together zones 1Vto V1 adds up to 72% of Kenya’s total land area and are grouped together as the Arid
and Semi-arid lands of Kenya(ASAL).

8.4 Plant Geography of Kenya

  Kenya’s vegetation can be grouped into four main communities; forest, Grassland, semi-desert, and
mountain summit. The extensive plain lands and plateaus of northern and eastern Kenya are dominated
by the semi-desert communities which have variously been described as “wooded
and bushed grasslands” or “woodland and bush land” or bushed grasslands and barren land (desert shrub
and grass). Forests and mountain communities and highland grasslands occur typically from 1975 to
3040meters above sea level and along the coastal belt.
 In the mountain areas aspect and moisture are critical to types of trees that will grow. Bamboos
(Arundinalia alpina) occur up to 3040m. Other tree species occurring here include camphor, olives, podo
and cedar. At the coast is to be found extensive mangrove forests along the tidal waves. The rest of the
country is dominated by grassland communities and include the savannah vegetation. These
communities are characterized by various stand of tree-grass combinations-scattered-tree
grasslands, scattered-tree and open grasslands (acacia/Themeda) and scattered- tree and open
grasslands.
 Much of the dry “Nyika” of the coastal area is under coastal high-grass-bush but acacia/Themeda is
dominant in Central Kenya between 910-1850m. Western and Nyanza provinces are dominated by
scattered tree grasslands.

8.4.1 Animal Geography of Kenya.

 Plant and animal (wildlife) geography are naturally closely associated, since the animals feeding habits
and habitats preferences are closely linked to the various plant communities. It is usual to find wildlife
distribution and differentiation being in line with the plant communities in Kenya.
8.4.2 Highland Communities and Forest Grasslands
 The Highlands Rainforest especially from 1368-2432m has rich natural vegetation and wildlife is
typified by the largest wildlife. Here buffaloes, elephants, and rhinoceroses are dominant. Within the
mountain can also be found bushbucks, colobus monkeys, and even bush babies and bongo (rare). The
high altitude predators are the lions, the leopards and other wild cats. High up in the mountain moorland
can be found rock hyraxes and even mountain cats. Beyond3040m are found alpine meadow lizards.
Bird life is scanty here.
8.4.3 Grassland Communities
The grasslands support the greatest number of herds of grazing animals. The chief animal’s here are the
ungulates esp. the wildebeest, the hartebeest, the zebra and the gazelles. Others includes the waterbucks,
the impalas, the elands, the warthogs and buffaloes. A number of carnivorous families are also found
here preying on the grazing members. They include the lion, the spotted hyena, the leopards, the
cheetahs and even wild dogs.
 Bird life is much richer here with both predators such as vultures, kites, the secretary bird and the seed
and grain eaters such as weaver birds. In the larger rivers and lakes are found hippopotamus and
crocodiles and of course fish. Reptiles such as the python are found in swampy habitats. The Rift Valley
is a well-known corridor for migratory birds. The high concentration of carbonates in the lake waters
manufacture blue-green algae and diatoms which in turn give the lake water nutrients on which rift
Valley flamingoes flourish.

Map of Kenya showing vegeto-ecological zones

Assignment
1) Distinguish between Agro-climatic zones and vegeto ecological zones