The Role of County Government in disaster risk reduction :A case study of Lower Majengo in Narok County Kenya

Abstract

According to Kenya National Disaster Policy Draft (2009); Kenya experiences a number of natural hazards ,the most common being weather related ,including floods ,droughts ,landslides, lightening /thunderstorms, wildfires strong winds HIV/AIDs ,and internal /cross border conflict .Narok county is a disaster prone county and experiences regularly a number of hazards , the most common being hydro-meteorological which are mainly weather induced such as; floods ,droughts, landslides ,lightening /thunderstorms ,wild fires , and strong winds .anthropogenic factors like land degradation ,deforestation of catchment areas ,poor agricultural practices ,inappropriate land use systems changing living conditions, among others ,contribute to increased impacts from the various ,natural hazards and change in disaster patterns . The level of destruction has also become more severe with more deaths of people and animals, loss of livelihoods, destruction of infrastructure among other effects resulting in losses of varying magnitudes. The researcher therefore looked in what county governments actions would contribute to disaster risk reduction from vulnerable community perspectives by looking into community characteristics ,activities and challenge .the project focused on community living in an informal settlement at lower majengo , Narok central location ,Narok North Sub-county, Narok County .the study involved a study sample size of 100 subjects from a target population of 920 people living in the area .the researcher used questionnaires ,focused group discussions and observation to collect data .the researcher established that communities living in the informal settlement have through adapted through experience devised their owning coping ways with effects of disaster like floods and disease ,however they have challenges like lack of skills and knowledge ,poor hygiene and sanitation ,poor infrastructure and housing ,ineffective laws and policies , poverty, climate change , insecurity and lack of essentials services like health ,social security’s and education .in light of these ,the researcher recommends county government intervention in provision of essential services like water ,health , hygiene and sanitation, increased awareness and sensitization to communities .on a greater scale ,the researcher recommends political will and commitment in structuring of laws and their enforcement and regulation ,funding and policy .government initiated response ,rehabilitation and recovery by equipping communities through informed Community Contingency Planning.