Effects of Temperature Changes in Kamburu Dam Reservoir between 2000 – 2023

This study aimed to determine the effects of temperature changes in Kamburu dam reservoir between 2000 and 2023. Kamburu reservoir has been experiencing low volumes of water with high evaporation rates, hence affecting its hydropower output. This study primarily utilised temperature and Kamburu reservoir data, as well as field survey data collected through questionnaires. Primary data was collected using Questionnaires, checklists, and observation guides. Secondary data sources included Kengen and meteorological department annual reports. The study used simple stratified sampling. The four villages of the Kivaa sub-location were sampled into 20 households, making a total of 80 households; Kengen and meteorological stations sampled every 10 respondents to make a total of 100 respondents. Data from the questionnaires were coded and analysed using SPSS 29. The results of this research showed that the area experiences increasing temperatures of 0.044 every year. The research forecasted a decadal increase in temperature of 0.44 and a century increase of 4.4. The research also showed a decadal decrease in reservoir volume of 92.2M, translating to a century decrease of 922M. The research concluded that climate change has greatly affected the Kamburu reservoir volume and, subsequently, hydropower output in the Kamburu power plant. The research recommends putting rules and regulations for watershed management, greenhouse emission control, upgrading the Kamburu dam infrastructure to be climate-resilient and expanding the capacity of the dam.