Management of Flash Floods in Marigat Sub County, Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

Flash flood is a natural disaster that occurs due to the sudden onset of rainfall that causes runoff waters from high altitude areas to low altitude area. This runoff waters leads to loss of lives, destruction of property, and environment; a problem experienced by residents of Marigat Sub- County. The purpose of the study was to investigate the management strategies of flash floods in Marigat Sub-County. The study used descriptive research management practices of flash floods on qualitative and quantitative methods. The target population of the study area was 120,263 people with 24,893 households. Purposive sampling method for three locations which wereIlng’arua, Ng’ambo and Salabaniexperiencing flash floods with a population of 13,885 translating to 3168 households, from which a sample size of 355 respondents was obtained. Stratified proportionate random sampling method was used to select household heads for the survey. Purposive sampling method was used to identify key informants from the selected locations and one disaster management officer. Primary and secondary data were used. The questionnaire, key informants interview schedules, and observations were used to collect data. The validity of the study was achieved through the construction of relevant instruments to the objectives of the study. To ensure reliability, piloting of the questionnaire was done and results obtained were 0.76 Cronbach's alpha level. Collected data were coded and analyzed using the SPSS software, where descriptive and inferential statistics were generated to test the study hypothesis. The findings of this study will be beneficial to Baringo County and the Kenyan government in the management of flash floods and the achievement of sustainable development goals in which the residents of Marigat sub-county are direct beneficiaries.