Assessing The Adoption Of Rainwater Harvesting Technologies (RWHT) As A Coping Mechanism To Climate Variability In Kilifi County, Kenya

Abstract

Kilifi is categorized as a poor county with a high poverty level estimated at 71.7% and experiences food and water insecurity affecting approximately 67% of the households. Rain-fed and small-scale agriculture is a major source of revenue in the County and it offers employment to more than half of the total number of people in the County. There exists seasonal water scarcity in Kilifi County. Droughts and floods occur frequently, thereby compromising productivity and food security in the county. This is expected to pose even greater challenges in the future, as future climate projections predict increasing drought and flood risk in the country. Furthermore, water demand for human, agricultural, and animal needs has been increasing due to population increase and an adaption action is therefore called for. The general objective of this research was to assess the adoption of the existing RWHT as an adaptation to climate variability in Kilifi County. Temperature and monthly rainfall data were collected from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD). Filled in questionnaires from field surveys, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and key informant interviews also provided additional source of data. Questionnaires were issued out using simple random sampling, with a sample size of 385 households and 10 key informants from the seven sub-counties were interviewed. Data quality control was carried out using simple mass curve and time series analysis was done using Mann Kendall Trend Test to examine the trend in the temperature and rainfall data. Variability in the datasets was determined by working out the coefficient of variation in both rainfall and temperature data. Descriptive statistical analyses (using percentages) were used to assess the adoption of the existing rainwater harvesting technologies and determine the social economic factors that hinder rainwater harvesting. Determination of the significance of the factors that hinder the adoption of RWHT was done using Logistic regression model. Analysis of the rainfall data showed that Kilifi County experiences bi-modal type of rainfall (AMJJ and OND) with a threshold average monthly rainfall of 87mm. xiii Time series analysis of rainfall data showed variations that are not statistically significant. Analysis of AMJ and OND rainfall seasons using coefficient of variation indicated that there is a temporal variation of rainfall with drought spells from year to year although the trend was not statistically significant. Time series analyses for rainfall showed a high degree of inter-annual variability. The study further showed an increased occurrence of rainfall that is below normal that may cause drought although the trend was statistically insignificant. Time series analysis for temperature just as the global observation, maximum and minimum temperatures have increased in all seasons in Kilifi County. From the findings, majority of the household surveyed (40.3%) obtain their water from springs as compared to other water sources. There is water scarcity in the county shown by longer distances (4-7km) travelled by most people in search for water. Findings on the adoption of the RWHT by the community in the County showed that 92.6% of households in Kilifi County practiced roof top water harvesting Technologies followed by water pans/ponds (3.5%). Majority of the people (93.5%) in Kilifi County are eager to organize and harvest more superficial water runoff. Analysis on the significant of all the socio-economic aspects that affect the adoption of RWHT ,showed that distance from the existing water source to the household with the highest odds ratio of 7.203 affects the adoption of RWHT the most. Followed by education level of household respondent with an odds ratio of 5.909 and household income with an odds ratio of 5.257. Analysis from Key Informants and FDGs indicates that some of the private development partners/ NGOs have played a vital role in helping households in reducing food and water insecurity as well as adapting to climate variability in the county by facilitating communities in construction of some water technologies. These will inform the decision-making in policy development to enhance water and food security in the county