BOTTOM-UP APPROACH IN FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT IN KIBRA INFORMAL SETTLEMENT, NAIROBI, KENYA

Purpose of Study: This study analyzed the role of bottom-up approaches in flood risk management in Kibra Informal Settlement, Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically, it assessed the effectiveness of community-led flood initiatives, examined community participation and engagement, and identified challenges affecting implementation of grassroots flood risk management strategies within the settlement. Methodology: The study adopted a participatory research design integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected through six focus group discussions and ten key informant interviews involving community leaders, government representatives, religious leaders, and residents. Climate projections, observed meteorological data, and documentary evidence were also analyzed to triangulate community-level findings. Findings:  Findings demonstrated that bottom-up initiatives substantially contributed to flood risk reduction in Kibra. Respondents strongly supported community involvement in designing mitigation measures (M = 4.30), early warning systems (M = 4.21), and community monitoring (M = 4.15). Community participation was also strong, particularly through local committees (M = 4.48) and inclusive engagement of women, youth, and elderly residents (M = 4.32). However, implementation was constrained by inadequate government policy support (M = 4.43), insufficient funding (M = 4.20), limited access to resources (M = 4.18), weak stakeholder coordination (M = 4.12), and inadequate technical expertise. These challenges limited sustainability despite demonstrated community resilience. Conclusion: The study concludes that bottom-up approaches are essential for strengthening flood resilience in Kibra, particularly through community participation, local knowledge, early warning, and grassroots initiatives. However, sustainable outcomes require stronger institutional support, dedicated financing, technical capacity building, improved stakeholder coordination, and integration of community-led strategies into formal urban flood management frameworks.