The Influence of Flooding on Food Security in Baringo County Kenya

Abstract

Climate change has continued to pose a major threat to food security, particularly in developing countries where livelihoods depended on agriculture. In Kenya, flood-prone regions such as Baringo County experienced increasing climate variability, with recurrent flooding disrupting agricultural production and household livelihoods. This study focused on Baringo South Sub-County, which is highly susceptible to flooding due to its proximity to Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria. A cross-sectional survey design was used, involving 384 households selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, multiple regression, and thematic analysis. Findings showed that 68% of households experienced annual flooding, significantly affecting crop production (χ² = 18.6, p < 0.01) and livestock loss (χ² = 15.2, p < 0.05). Regression results indicated a significant negative effect of flooding on food security (β = -0.47, p = 0.002), particularly on food availability and access. Additionally, 61% of households were highly vulnerable due to low adaptive capacity and reliance on climate-sensitive livelihoods. The study rejected the null hypothesis, concluding that flooding significantly influenced food security, and recommended targeted adaptation strategies to enhance resilience.