The influence of human and financial resources on the operation and maintenance of storm water drainage systems for reduction of localized urban floods in Nairobi, Kenya

Proper management of storm water drainage systems enhance the benefits of flood protection, pollution control and social and environmental protection particularly in urban areas where the community served by the system is larger. This thesis presents the findings on the influence of human and financial resources for operation and maintenance of the storm water drainage system for the reduction of localized urban floods in Nairobi, Kenya. The operation and maintenance of the storm water drainage system in Nairobi lies under the mandate of the Department of Roads, Public Works and Transport and has recently been facing challenges in execution of these duties. This Department falls within the Nairobi City County Government, following devolution of the county governments in Kenya in 2010, and has had challenges pertaining to both human and financial resources to deliver services. The main aim of the study was to establish how human and financial resources influence operation and maintenance of storm water drainage systems in Nairobi to reduce localized urban flooding. In order to fulfil this, the study was undertaken as a single holistic case study within Nairobi with a focus on two selected areas, that is, Madaraka Estate and Mbagathi/Lang’ata intersection. The study is explanatory in nature and has made use of qualitative data collection and analysis methods in order to give an in-depth understanding of the relationships presented in its objective. 13 questionnaires were administered to staff within the responsible department as a pre-test, which was then followed by 9 interviews to department heads, experts in the fields and employees within disaster response units in order to triangulate the responses given. Furthermore, some of the information collected was verified through review of secondary data in the form of official Department records and documents. The responses received revealed major shortcomings pertaining to allocation and availability of finances for operation and maintenance of the storm drains as well as a lack of support of the staff in terms of adequacy of staff numbers, skill development and performance monitoring. These are major factors that have affected the efficient performance of the department with respect to management of the storm water drainage system and have resulted in failure of the drainage system to perform adequately from poor maintenance. Further to this, corruption and a slow adjustment to the devolution of government functions has crippled execution of duties. This research revealed that the lack of financial resources and human resources has affected the successful operation and maintenance of the storm water drainage system in Nairobi and this has exacerbated the problem of localized urban flooding in the Capital City of Kenya.