Influence of climate-proofed infra structure on implementation of drought management strategies by the national drought management authority in Taita Taveta County, Kenya

Climate proofing is the identification of risks to a development project as a consequence of climate variability and change, and ensuring that those risks are reduced to acceptable levels through long lasting and environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially acceptable changes implemented. Drought management strategies are influenced by climate proofed infrastructure in various ways like: project risk screening and scoping; impact assessment, vulnerability assessment; adaptation assessment; implementation arrangements; and monitoring and evaluation.

However, climate proof infrastructure as a drought mitigation strategy has not received sufficient research attention and since climate is variable over different contexts especially with the present situation of climate change. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the influence of climate-proofed infrastructure on the implementation of drought management strategies in Taita Taveta County, Kenya by the NDMA. Therefore, this study sought to establish the influence of climate-proofed infrastructure on the implementation of drought management strategies in Taita Taveta County, Kenya by the National Drought Management Authority. A sample of 81 employees of National Drought Management Authority in Taita Taveta County was interviewed. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive analysis methods. The study found that climate proofed infrastructure significantly influenced the implementation of drought management strategies. The study recommends that, the NDMA in the area should also install early warning systems and adopt risk management strategies to enable it identify risks to a development project as a consequence of climate variability and change, and ensure that those risks are reduced to acceptable levels. Finally, there is need for the organization to forge political goodwill from the local and national political actors.