Influence of Disaster Risk Reduction Projects on Adaptive Capacity to Climate Variability in Kitui County, Kenya

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dc.contributor.authorMambo, Patricia
dc.date.accessioned2020-10-14T07:20:11Z
dc.date.available2020-10-14T07:20:11Z
dc.date.issued2019-08
dc.descriptionA Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Environmental Studies (Climate Change and Sustainability) in the School of Environmental Studies of Kenyatta University, August 2019en_US
dc.description.abstractDisaster risk reduction projects are some of the initiatives undertaken with an aim of addressing climate variability associated disasters such as droughts and floods and loss of agricultural production. The projects are normally aimed at reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience among rural communities towards climate variability and change. Results of adaptation measures undertaken by such projects to increase adaptive capacity of the communities remain largely under researched. By use of a descriptive survey design, this study focused on the influence of Caritas disaster risk reduction projects on the adaptive capacity to climate variability in Kitui County. Specifically, the study sought to analyze rainfall and temperature data (1979-2014) for climate variability in the study area. It also evaluated the effectiveness of adaptation measures to climate variability among project beneficiaries as well as examining the influence of socio-economic factors on the uptake of the adaptation measures. During the study, two sampling techniques were used; purposive sampling that was used to select The Kenya Livelihood Support Project and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Resilience Project implemented by Caritas-Kitui and also select key informants. Random sampling aided in selection of 106 project beneficiary households who were administered with questionnaires. Data obtained was analyzed through Statistical Package of Social Sciences and Excel in relation to the set objectives. The study employed descriptive statistics such as frequencies, mean and standard deviation as well as inferential statistics of ANOVA to test any significant differences on decadal means of rainfall and temperature while Chi-Square was used to test for any significant difference in rating used in Likert scale responses. Data was displayed in tables and graphs. Analyzed rainfall and temperature data obtained from Katumani (9137089) Kenya Meteorological Department station indicated that there was statistically significant mean temperature variation (p<0.005) within 1975-2014 while no statistically significant difference in rainfall variation within the same period. There was statistically significant correlation between mean annual temperature and rainfall (p<0.005) at 2-tailed significance level. In terms of perception of significant weather changes observed, 39% and 27% of respondents in ARP and KLSP projects asserted that there has been prolonged droughts experienced in the area. Likert scale was used to rank project adaptation measures and based on Total Weighted Mean (T.W.M) used to compute the ranking, it was observed that on-farm water harvesting (T.W.M=337.08), soil conservation (T.W.M=262.91) and income diversification (T.W.M232.23) ranked first, second and third respectively in ARP applied adaptation measure while KLSP applied adaptation measures, soil conservation was ranked first at T.W.M=387.80 and on-farm water harvesting second at T.W.M=346.36. Chi-square test performed to determine if there was any statistically significant difference in Likert scale rating of effectiveness of project adaptation measures indicated a significant difference (p<0.005) in ratings under on-farm water harvesting and soil conservation in both projects. Socio-economic factors that influence uptake of project adaptation measures, it was observed that finance was ranked first T.W.M=314.52 and 341.46 in ARP and KLSP project respectively. The study therefore concludes that disaster risk management projects have an influence on the adaptive capacity to climate variability. In addition socio economic factors that would influence uptake of adaption measures should be put into consideration during project planning and implementation.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipKenyatta Universityen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/20601
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherKenyatta Universityen_US
dc.subjectDisaster Risk Reductionen_US
dc.subjectAdaptive Capacityen_US
dc.subjectClimate Variabilityen_US
dc.subjectKitui Countyen_US
dc.subjectKenyaen_US
dc.titleInfluence of Disaster Risk Reduction Projects on Adaptive Capacity to Climate Variability in Kitui County, Kenyaen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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