Role Of Dholuo FM Radio Programmes In Flood Warning In West Nyakach Division, Kenya

Abstract

Flooding is an uncertain phenomenon thus advance warning, evacuation and flood control are effective and sustainable methods of reducing the devastation caused by floods. Raising awareness and preparing the population in general to respond to natural disaster such as floods, should be a crucial task for the mass media. A report by Kenya Red Cross (2012) indicated that 5000 people suffer the effects of floods every year in Nyakach District in Kenya, and the damage is estimated at 49 million. The recurrence of floods seems to be an indicator of lack of knowledge on the flood risk management in West Nyakach. This study focused on the vernacular radio programmes offered by two Dholuo Radio stations; Radio Ramogi & Radio Lake Victoria, these stations offer a forum for the listeners to call radio station directly and discuss issues related to risk management. The study was guided by the Uses and Gratification Theory (Blumler and Katz 1974). 150 homesteads, two radio programmes managers and one area chief constituted the sample for the study. Data were collected using questionnaires and oral interview. The findings revealed that, majority of residents listened to radio broadcast in Dholuo and received flood warning over the radio, they also depend on radio for flood warnings which seemed timely. Though most of the residents did not respond positively to early flood warning.