African countries are increasingly embracing decentralization to improve governance as a catalyst for development. The challenges that devolution can address include bureaucratic inefficiencies, poor accountability and transparency, unequal distribution of resources, low citizen engagement, increased poverty and marginalization. The need for devolution in the context of disaster risk reduction (DRR) is even more critical owing to the fact that it has potential to improve governance which can influence the meaningful engagement of communities at-risk in planning. This paper adopts a diagnostic approach on investigating the extent devolution is augmenting DRR as well as adaptation to climate change adaptation (CCA) in five arid counties in Kenya over the 2014-2018 period. The analysis shows that county DRR policy frameworks are at various stages of development, DRR is increasingly being institutionalized and it has been integrated into County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs). A number of challenges noted in the implementation of DRR include inadequate funds, weak coordination mechanisms, few and poorly trained personnel, insufficient engagement of the vulnerable persons and low commitment from county policy makers. The policies being developed were also found to be poorly aligned to the national and Sendai framework while the DRR and CCA responsible institutions operate asymmetrically. The study recommends greater commitment in mainstreaming DRR and adaptation into entire county planning processes and capacitating the institutions to support risk - informed planning. Systems for engaging the most vulnerable persons need to be developed and applied to ensure their voice is heard in development planning processes.
Nyandiko, NO
Devolution and disaster risk reduction in Kenya: Progress, challenges and opportunities
International Journal Of Disaster Risk Reduction