Factors Influencing Preparedness for Disaster Risk Management Within the Construction Industry in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Disasters have been a detriment to development in society causing extensive destruction, disruption of people‟s lives and causing human suffering with communities unable to cope under these conditions. Disaster preparedness is the most appropriate way to avert and minimize the damage safer in case of disaster occurrence. This study sought to investigate the factors influencing the preparedness for disaster risk management within the construction industry in Nairobi County, Kenya, with the objectives of establishing the influence of the level of knowledge; vulnerability of the building; regulatory framework; and demographic characteristics on preparedness for disaster risk management in the construction industry in Nairobi County. This was done through a descriptive research design on a population of 45,000buildings in Nairobi County from which a sample of 138 buildings were sought using stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected by use of a semi structured questionnaire offered to the building managers and owners. The study applied both descriptive and inferential statistics to come up with the findings and conclusions from which policy recommendations were made. The study established that preparedness for disaster risk management is statistically significantly influenced by building owner‟s knowledge level, vulnerability of building, existing regulatory framework, and the prevailing demographic characteristics of owners with positive regression coefficients confirming that the four factors have a positive influence on disaster preparedness within the construction industry. The study therefore recommends that stakeholders in the sector should increase and widely advertise training on disaster risk management in enhancing their awareness and hence improve disaster preparedness and while at it introduce aspects of knowledge, vulnerability of building, regulatory frameworks, and demographic characteristics so as to ensure that they are able to maximize on ensuring disaster preparedness.