ABSTRACTRainfall erosivity parameters such as rainfall intensity and kinetic energy and (heir combination and the temporal distribution of erosive rains, are examined for 35 stations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Intensity and kinetic energy parameters show the highest erosivity hazards to be in Uganda, the Lake Victoria area and parts of the Kenyan Highlands and the coast (R values of over 400). The lowest erosivity hazards occurred in the drier areas of Kenya and Tanzania (R values less than 150). The hazards in these latter areas are magnified because about 70 per cent of the erosive rains often occur within 30 days of the onset of the rains. In this period, crop and grass cover is low with much bare soil exposed and few crop management practices are available to increase the cover.