Climate Variability And Temperature Trends In West Pokot County, Kenya: A 34-Year Analysis (1990-2023)
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Abstract: This study analyzes long-term climate variability and temperature trends in West Pokot County, Kenya, from 1990 to 2023 using CHIRPS v3.0 precipitation data and meteorological station records. It reveals a 1.13°C increase in both minimum and maximum temperatures and a statistically significant upward trend in annual rainfall, averaging 890.43 mm with an increase of 6.31 mm per year. MAM and JJA are the main rainy seasons, contributing over 67% of annual rainfall, while DJF shows a drying trend. The study identifies years of extreme drought (2000, 2009, 2014) and wet anomalies (2020) and emphasizes the interplay between rising temperatures and intensified seasonal variability. The findings underscore growing risks to agricultural production, water availability, and pastoral systems and recommend climate-responsive farming, improved early warning systems, and data-driven planning frameworks.