An Assessment of the Impact of Floods and Drought on Fresh Water Resources in the Lower Catchment Region of River Tana, Kenya

This study was carried out in the coastal lowlands of Kenya. The specifc area is administratively referred to as Tana River County or the lower catchment area of River Tana which is the main river in the region. The area suffers from both annual floods and drought. During the wet seasons there is excess water, floods are common and water flows freely, while during the dry season, there is scarcity of water. The quality of water is compromised both during the wet and dry seasons when there is plenty of water during the flood episodes and during the dry season as water scarcity bites. The general objective of this study was to assess water supply amidst the excess water and floods on one hand and prolonged drought in the lower coastal region of Kenya. Specific objectives include to: i) establish factors influencing occurrence of floods and drought in the study area; ii) establish spatio temporal dynamics of floods and drought; iii) assess the impacts of alternating episodes of drought and floods on water security in the study area; and; iv) establish existing and potential technologies and stakeholder initiatives in addressing the problems of excess water during floods and water scarcity during the dry season. The study used survey design and judgmental sampling to acquire data. A total of one hundred respondents were enlisted for the study.This consisted of Interviewees (n=60); FGDs (n=30) and Key Informants (KIs) (n=10). Tools for data collection included Questionnaire, Observation Guide, FGDs and Key Informant Guides. Both primary and secondary data and sources were used. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results indicate that the region’s water security is compromised both during the dry and wet seasons. The study recommends concerted efforts to address the challenges encountered in management of these extreme events.