ASSESSING COUNTY GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES ON DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Disasters, both natural and manmade, have the potential to lead to significant human and economic losses at any time without warning. The rising emergencies such as fires, climate change resulting to floods, pandemic event and terrorist attack that rapid urbanization brings to Nakuru necessitated the current study. The main aim of the study was to assess the extent to which disaster management strategies have been deployed in Nakuru County. The specific objectives were to examine how hazard mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response and disaster recovery strategies have been applied to bring about community resilience among Nakuru County residents. The study used the descriptive survey. The target population consisted of those with disaster management roles employed at the county level comprising 456 employees where a sample of 138 employees was selected using stratified random sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Collected data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Percentages were used to describe the responses while inferential statistics involving correlation analysis, regression analysis and chi-square test were used. Correlation analysis showed positive relationship between improved disaster mitigation, disaster preparedness; disaster response and disaster recovery strategies on community resilience. The study recommended need for training, increased communication and coordination on a continuous basis with all the key stakeholders. Further research is needed to highlight how that coordination can be carried out.