A simple method for predicting the characteristics of storms for the desogn of drainage structures in East Africa is described. The variation of a 2 year daily point rainfall, and the 10:2 year ratio for daily rainfall, over East Africa are given in map form. Using these, daily point rainfall for any return frequency can be calculated. To arrive at the design storm the daily point rainfall is adjusted using a generalised depth-duration equation and a graphical representation of the variation of mean rainfall with area