| dc.description.abstract | In the recent past there has been dramatic increase in frequency and intensity of floods
all over the world, both in developed and developing nations due to climate change.
Crops, settlements and infrastructure have been destroyed wherever flooding occurs.
But Sustainable Land Management Technologies (SLMT) is the cornerstone of
formalized action for reducing such natural hazards. However, the adoption level of
the technology still very low creating a gap between adoption of the technology and
flood risk reduction. The severity of damage as a result of floods has been
documented to have a relationship with the land management technologies. Overuse
on the Land resource has been increasing and limited capacity to practice Sustainable
Land Management Technologies has led to land degradation and thus enhancing flood
risk in Western region of Kenya. The overall objective of this study was to examine
the impact of Sustainable Land Management Technologies on flood risk in Western
region Kenya. To achieve this overall objective, three specific objectives were
pursued. Firstly, the study determined the type and extent of the existing Sustainable
Land Management Technologies prevalent in the study area. The second specific
objective was to examine the prevalence of flood risk by farmers in Western region,
Kenya and lastly evaluate the strategies for mitigating flood risks in Western region of
Kenya. Three research designs guided each objective. The research was underpinned
by a conceptual framework guided by Diffusion of Innovation Theory and Pressure
and Release Model of Vulnerability. The study area included Sub-County of Nyando
and Budalangi. The sample size for the study was 384 households. Primary method of
data collection comprised questionnaires, interviews and Focus Group Discussion
guides. Secondary and Quantitative data were analyzed using MS excel. Statistical
Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 26 was used to obtain statistics including
Pearson’s, Spearman’s rank Correlation Coefficient. Qualitative data was analyzed
using narration techniques to support quantitative data. Quantitative data was
presented using tables, graphs and charts while for qualitative data coding was
conducted and most prominent narrations were captured. The results on the type and
extent of SLMT practiced in Western Kenya, indicated 37.5% (146) acknowledged
that they practiced cropping management, 29.2% (111) practiced Water management
practices, 25% (96) practiced crop slope barriers, 6.3% (23) forest management and
2.1% (8) respectively. On the prevalence of flood risk results revealed that household
who had stayed for a long period had more knowledge on flood risk and a strong
positive significant correlation (rs= 0.934, p⹀ 0.001) with knowledge on Flood risk in
Western region Kenya. The results further suggested that duration of stay played a
significant role on knowledge about flood risk. The findings on evaluation of the
strategies for mitigating flood risks showed that extension service 92% (353) was the
best strategy whereas existence of project meeting at 80% (307) benefited a lot from
them. The study concluded that the SLMT are used in the Western region and the
communities have the knowledge and experience on flood risks. The study
recommends adoption of holistic management of the SLMT policies and increased
training areas to create environmental equity for Sustainable Development. The study
is expected to assist in strengthening extension services with involvement of both the
County and the National government. | en_US |
