Examining the key dimensions of socioeconomic vulnerability among households in Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

Disaster risk remains a major global challenge affecting both developed and developing countries, with increasing frequency and intensity largely attributed to climate change and environmental degradation. Despite the coexistence of high socioeconomic vulnerability and escalating disaster risks in Kakamega County, Kenya, limited empirical evidence exists on how specific dimensions of socioeconomic vulnerability influence household-level disaster risk. This study examined the key dimensions of socioeconomic vulnerabilities among households in Kakamega County, Kenya. Conventional and Access model theories were used in this study. The study adopted descriptive and evaluative research designs, targeting 433,207 households across four purposively selected sub-counties (Lurambi, Mumias West, Lugari, and Ikolomani). A sample of 399 household heads was determined using Yamane's formula and selected through stratified random sampling, while 38 key informants were purposively selected. Primary data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussions; secondary data was obtained from government reports, policy documents, and peer-reviewed journals. Validity was established through Content Validity Index (CVI > 0.7), and reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's Alpha (> 0.7). Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman's Rank Correlation, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically using NVivo software. The study found that socioeconomic vulnerability was driven primarily by inaccessibility to information (36%), low income (26.3%), limited financial services (22.06%), and illiteracy (17.79%). Income poverty was high, with 66% of respondents living below one dollar per day, while 78.70% reported receiving no government support. A significant positive correlation was established between household size and disaster impacts, including food insecurity (rₛ = 0.684, p < 0.05), loss of income (rₛ = 0.641, p < 0.05), and human insecurity (rₛ = 0.598, p < 0.05), indicating that larger households experienced more severe disaster impacts. The study concludes that households in Kakamega County remain highly vulnerable due to persistent poverty, limited asset ownership and weak access to government support and inadequate disaster preparedness, with household size significantly influencing disaster impact severity. The study recommends strengthening inclusive social protection systems by removing administrative barriers such as lack of national identification documents to ensure vulnerable households access government support. The study recommends policy makers to support livelihood diversification and household-level preparedness by promoting alternative income sources, expanding access to financial services and supporting household emergency planning.