This region varies from an altitude of 4800M to 300M above sea level from Mt. Kenya highlands to desert plain in the North (Marsabit & Moyale) falling in Agro-ecological zone II to VI I with humid to very arid conditions respectively. The notable physical features include:

•  Isolated mountain, escarpment and hills
•  Extensive plains
•  Numerous valleys and rivers particularly in the mountain regions

This region receives a limited type of rainfall coming from March – May (long rains) and October – November (short rains). The average annual rainfall varies from one ecological zone to another ranging from 1495 mm per annum in Embu and Meru North districts to 400 mm in Marsabit, Isiolo and Moyale. The bigger portion of arid and semi arid part of the region receives unreliable, unpredictable and uneven rainfall in terms of distribution. The temperatures range from 10? c on the foot of Mt. Kenya to 40? c in Maikona in Marsabit district.

Fertile, volcanic soil on the highlands and poor black cotton, sandy, rocky soils in the lower regions characterise this region. Vegetation cover is influenced by Climatic conditions varying from natural woodland to arid shrubs to bear rock plains.

Within the programme area, income, water and food are interdependent. But water is of more primary value because Agriculture and Livestock are the primary source of income and livelihoods for close to 90 % of the regions' residents. Approximately 97 % of agriculture and livestock are dependent on rainwater. 3 % of agricultural enterprises situated in Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru and Isiolo, benefit from some form of irrigation mainly furrow. Also the hydro-electricity generation in the 7 folk dams, situated in the CCSMKE region is dependent on rainwater. Of late, rainfall in the region has become erratic, unreliable, poorly distributed and sometimes fails completely for three consecutive seasons. When this happens, famine occurs, livestock die, and rationing of hydro-electricity.