Mapping Land Use Land Cover within Flood Risks and Safe Zones in Budalangi Sub-County, Kenya

Riverine flooding is associated with not only displacement of people but also loss of property and lives in the lower course of rivers. However, there is a dearth of literature on land use and land cover within flood risk zones and safe zones within the Western Region in Kenya. Using Landsat Satellite Images and household survey, this study aimed at mapping land use land cover within flood risk and safe zones in Budalangi sub-county, Kenya. A sample size of 162 household heads was selected using stratified random sampling. Flood stage scenarios were hypothesized and overlay analysis was done to determine the locations for evacuation and land use at risk. Descriptive data analysis was adopted to analyze data from respondents. Analyzed Landsat Satellite Images reveal that 39.1 % (76.2 Km2) of the study area were flood risk zones while 60.9 % (118.8 Km2) were safe zones. Ninety percent (90 %, 68.6 Km2) of the flood risk zones were located within altitudes less than 1144 m above sea level (a.s.l) while safe zones were located in areas with more than 1144 m a.s.l. Within the flood risk zones, 57.0 % (39.1 Km2) was covered with papyrus vegetation, 19.2 % (13.2 km2) with riverine vegetation, 18.4 % (12.6 km2) with farmlands and 5.4 % (3.7 km2) with buildings or bare lands. Ninety percent (90 %) of the safe regions were found within learning institutions, market centres and administrative centres. The majority of the respondents (n = 157, 96.9 %) had experienced flooding on their farmlands and some of them (n = 125, 79.6 %) indicated that floods had destroyed their crops. The flooding that occurred frequently within the study area during the high rain season was mainly mitigated through terracing and the use of canals. The current study concludes that flood risk zones were covered by natural vegetation while safe zones were occupied by human settlements. This study suggests that residents in flood-prone areas should avoid residing within flood-risk zones during rainy seasons.