| dc.description.abstract | Informal settlements are growing in the world everyday due to poverty and inadequate land to
settle. Most informal settlements are faced with a myriad of problems ranging from inadequate
infrastructure, poor sanitation, water and noise pollution among others. This study sort to
determine the extent of disaster risk preparedness in the informal settlements of Nyeri town,
Nyeri County. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the level of awareness on the
types of disasters and existing policies to address them, to establish disaster mitigation
measures in place, to identify the role of stakeholders in disaster management, to identify the
challenges encountered during disaster risk reduction initiatives. The study targeted residents
of informal settlements in Majengo Witemere Ngangarithi kwa Mwaura, Mathari
“transformer”, and Ruring’u Muslim village. This research applied descriptive cross-sectional
study design. A sample of 384 residents was selected among the residents. Data was collected
by use of questionnaires and key informant interview guide. Data analysis was done using
SPSS version 21. Univariate analysis for each variable was done so as to yield descriptive
statistics that was used to analyze the variables. Presentation of the findings was done through
prose, tables and figures. The results indicated that there was a significant association
between the area of residence and the level of compliance of policy rules concerned with
disaster risk reduction [X2 (3) = 11.446, p-value =0.010<0.05]. However, there was no
significant association between the area of residence and level of awareness of the disasters
that could affect them [X2 (3) = 2.99, p-value =0.393>0.05], and neither was there significant
association between the area of residence and level of awareness of any policy rule concerned
with disaster risk reduction [X2 (3) =7.026, p-value =0.071>0.05]. Key informants interview
was administered to 10 key informants within Nyeri County, these included each Managers
and supervisors of Ministry of Health Nyeri County, County Government of Nyeri department
disaster Management, Nationals interior and coordination office Nyeri, Kenya Red Cross
Society Nyeri office and County National Disaster Management Authority Nyeri office. It was
concluded that Risk assessment as a step for successful disaster reduction measures will ensure
that the community members are aware of the possible hazards. National and County
government should incorporate the national and international guidelines in their policy.
Lessons learnt from previous disasters that have affected other informal settlements and other
parts of the country should inform the formulation of mitigation measures for disaster
management. The researcher further recommends to the scholars to consider research on
disaster risk preparedness as the strategy of counties development agenda and Social and
economic potentials that the County Governments can tap in informal settlements. | en_US |
